A bad hip has forced Ireland and Munster loose forward Denis Leamy to retire from rugby.

Leamy last played for Ireland in the World Cup quarter-finals in October but on his return from New Zealand a hip complaint restricted him to just seven appearances for Munster.

He signed a two-year contract extension in February but became the club's third player this season to retire, after Jerry Flannery and David Wallace.

Leamy earned 57 caps for Ireland since 2004, winning the 2009 Six Nations Grand Slam and playing in two World Cups. He won the Heineken Cup twice with Munster, in 2006 and 2008.

"I find it hard to put into words how much it has meant to me to play for Munster and Ireland," he said on Tuesday.

"It was a dream come true and I was very lucky to play with some of the greatest players ever to wear the jerseys and feel blessed that I was part of winning teams. I've had a great career, wish it had gone on a little longer."