Wales centre George North confirmed on Thursday he had ruptured an Achilles tendon in his final test appearance.
The British and Irish Lions back limped off the field in the 79th minute of Wales's 24-21 Six Nations loss to Italy in Cardiff on Saturday.
Given the severity of the injury, with a recovery time measured in months, it is unlikely North will play again for Welsh regional side Ospreys ahead of a post-season move to French club Provence.
"Not everyone gets the fairytale ending," North told his followers on X, formerly Twitter.
"A ruptured Achilles wasn't the way I wanted to bow out of international rugby. Still I have loved every second.
"On the recovery train now."
Not everyone gets the fairy tale ending. A ruptured achilles wasn’t the way I wanted to bow out of International rugby. Still I have loved every second. Can’t thank everyone enough for the support and kind messages. On the recovery train now 🚂 pic.twitter.com/os09fhSA5v
— George North (@George_North) March 21, 2024
North is Wales's third most capped player in history behind only Alun Wyn Jones and Gethin Jenkins, with his tally of 47 international tries for the country bettered only by Shane Williams's 58.
The 31-year-old North made his international debut in 2010 and won two Grand Slams and four Six Nations titles.
He also featured at four World Cups, reaching two semifinals, and made three test appearances for the British and Irish Lions.
A defeat in his final test meant Wales were condemned to finishing bottom of the Six Nations for the first time since 2003 after losing all five of their matches in the tournament.