Scott Steele has announced his retirement from rugby after a lengthy battle with injuries.

The former Scotland international has undergone three hip operations over recent years and has now decided it’s time to call it a day after 13 years in the professional game.

The scrum-half has spent the last year with Edinburgh but has been unable to play a single competitive  game for them because of his injury.

He began his rugby career playing for Leicester Tigers before a lengthy spell with London Irish, and then joined Harlequins where he spent three years before heading to Edinburgh.

Four caps for Scotland also followed but he feels now is the right time to hang up his boots because of the injuries that have hampered him.

READ MORE: All the stats and play-off permutations ahead of Lions vs Glasgow Warriors

He said: “After 3 years of battling with injuries and whilst currently recovering from my third hip operation, I've decided to retire from professional rugby at the end of this season.

My career has way exceeded any expectations I first had when it all started at my local rugby club Dumfries Saints. To go on and represent such prestigious clubs as Leicester Tigers, London Irish, Harlequins and to get capped for Scotland 4 times is something I'm extremely proud of.

“Thank you to my family and close friends for their support which gave me the belief to chase my dream job and stick at it for 13 long years. Thank you to all the coaches and support staff at all the teams I've been involved with.

“Thanks to the various medical teams for looking after me and for getting me back onto the pitch. To the loyal fans of the teams I've represented, I cannot thank you enough.

“Huge thank you to everyone at Edinburgh Rugby who have been great during my extremely frustrating season with them.

“Finally, thanks to all my teammates over the years. You are the reason I gave my absolute all every time I took the field and you are the reason why l've enjoyed the last 13 years so much.”