Melbourne Rebels flanker Michael Lipman has confirmed that he will hang up his rugby boots and stop playing rugby at the end of the current Super Rugby season.
Lipman will say goodbye to fans on Friday, along with fellow retirees Stirling Mortlock and Al Campbell.
Julian Huxley will also play his final game for the club and is expected to sign a contract overseas in the coming days.
Lipman joined the club ahead of its inaugural season in 2010 and was a standout in his first year of Super Rugby, playing 15 matches.
Born in London, Lipman grew up in Sydney and attended St Josephs before joining the Waratahs academy. The flanker was named in the Wallabies Under-21 side, but returned to England in 2001 and joined Premiership side Bristol.
Two years later he joined Bath and enjoyed a solid 2002/03 season, featuring in the Heineken Cup and playing more than 20 matches.
He made his international debut for England in 2004 against the All Blacks and finishes his career with 10 Test caps.
In the 2004/05 season Lipman played a further 19 matches, before an unfortunate run of injuries lead to increased lay-offs.
He returned for Bath in January 2007, scoring a try against Montpellier in the European Challenge Cup before being named in the England Saxons squad. Later that year Lipman earned his 100th cap for Bath and was named joint captain for the 2008/09 season.
In 2010, Lipman returned to Australia and played in the Shute Shield competition for Warringah, before joining the Rebels the following season.
After making a big impression on Super Rugby in 2011, injuries unfortunately curtailed his impact this season.
Lipman still managed to play seven games in 2012 and finishes his career with plenty of fond memories.
"I feel very blessed to have played in the English Premiership, Heineken Cup, Internationals with England and now Super Rugby," said Lipman.
"I am so grateful that the Rebels gave me the opportunity to play in this competition, I always wanted to be a part of Super Rugby and I have thoroughly enjoyed every moment.
"First of all, I would like to thank the Rebels and the Victorian rugby community for their support over the past two years. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in Melbourne and I feel privileged to have been a part of this wonderful club.
"For me, playing professional rugby is a great test of character. You are constantly measuring yourself against the best and pushing your body beyond its limits, there really is nothing better.
"I will also really miss the banter with the boys and the camaraderie that comes with being part of a team. Rugby has helped me develop as a person and you gain a lot from the ups and downs of professional sport. I see those big games as the ultimate test of character, a chance to test your limits; I will really miss those challenges."
