PARIS (AP) — Former France forward Paul Willemse announced his retirement from rugby on Monday after sustaining multiple concussions during his career.

The South Africa-born lock has not played since October last year, when he was taken off for a concussion when playing for club side Montpellier. Willemse said he had been concussed six times in his career.

“After many years on the field, it is time to close this chapter,” Willemse posted on Instagram . “Choosing to stop after multiple concussions has been the hardest decision I’ve ever made. For a long time, I tried to hold on, because when you’ve lived one dream, it’s frightening to imagine life beyond it.”

He played in 32 tests for France and scored two tries as a tough-tackling and rampaging forward, who also had a strong running

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