Anthony Allen, has been forced to announce his retirement

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Agree with most of the above, sad to have to retire at such a young age. Cracking player!

Cheers Ant, hope the futures good to you.

[fleabane]

Underrated by England, but never at Welford Road. A true carpet-knife wielding centre who will be sorely missed for his intelligent play and brilliant tackling.

Good luck for the future AA, and thanks.

[Nailsworthstiger]

That's devastating news not only for Ant but for us fans and the Tigers as a club. he has been probably one of if not the best (IMO of course) players since he came to us.

We shall miss his skills.

[amazing tiger]

Underrated by England, but never at Welford Road. A true carpet-knife wielding centre who will be sorely missed for his intelligent play and brilliant tackling.

Good luck for the future AA, and thanks.

agreed always rated him very highly. we all saw how much we missed him this season. good luck for the future mate.

[Big Dai]

Our defensive rock, our glue, has retired. Sad news indeed. Good luck with whatever you take on next..........but just leave the decorating to others.

I'll miss your attitude.

[markharbtiger]

Terrible news indeed. Truly both a class player and class person. Hope the club can find a place for him in some off-field capacity if he wants, but best of luck for the future.

[Chesterfield Chris]

devastated - best signing in years and I hoped he was going to be with us for many more years to come. hope the club give him a job as i'm sure he can add great value as a coach
BW AA thanks for the memories

[G.K]

Great player for the club, all the best for the future, Ant

[longlivethecrumbie]

Absolutely gutted for Ant, a real gent and as many have said before; massively underrated player by all bar Tigers fans. Hope he sticks around. All the best in your retirement.

[Doghashadhisday]

Simply a huge thank you to Ant. He was totally committed and earned his Tigers stripes. Never let the club or fans down. A big loss

[Soggypitch]

Great player, great attitude, career interrupted often by injuries...

This is sad news, good luck to you in the future AA and thanks for your great contribution to Tigers!!

[Downsouth]

He will be missed. It would have been great to see him under Mauger.

I have not seen who is having a benefit season next year, but if this is yet to be confirmed, surely Anthony should be awarded it. Time to start a campaign?

[Smudge]

It's really sad for us as we saw him develop in Hampshire, firstly with the mini-youth at Trojans then school at Boundary Oak etc.
He is a lovely lad and a member of a very fine family. My sympathies go out to him
and his lovely Mum and Dad.

Not every great player can turn to coaching but I would put my money on his
intelligence, personality and rugby brain to do so.

Let us hope that Tigers can come up with some decent centers in the very near future.

[wormus]

Terrible news indeed. Truly both a class player and class person. Hope the club can find a place for him in some off-field capacity if he wants, but best of luck for the future.

Thanks AA a brilliant player whose defensive and attacking play has been and will be missed but let us hope there is a place in the Academy or with Mauger. BBC :-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/33269752

[CJ]

Awful news for him and for our team. Really spoilt the weekend. Hope he has a good other career, preferably with us. A great rugby brain and others could learn so much from him.
All the best for whatever you do next, AA.