Too soon.

Saracens flanker Joel Conlon has confirmed he will step away from rugby with immediate effect.

The 24-year-old has been advised by a specialist to have a two-year break from the game due to neck injury, having made 17 appearances for Sarries since joining from Exeter Chiefs in 2015.

Conlon contributed to the club’s back-to-back European titles as well as two domestic honours, before leading Sarries to the Premiership Rugby Sevens Series crown in what proved to be his final competitive minutes.

Speaking of the announcement, Conlon said:

“I’m pretty gutted I’m having step away now. I was hoping to kick-on and be involved a bit more this year after some frustrating seasons with injury.

“The club have been amazing with me, supported me the whole way through and I can’t thank them enough.”

Director of Rugby Mark McCall added:

“Joel Conlon always represented Saracens in a way that exemplified the values we hold dear; a hard-working, physical player on the field and a person of character away from it.

“Joel is retiring from the game due to injury; we know he will be very successful in the next chapter of his life and we wish him every success.”