FORMER Saints scrum-half Luke Walsh has been forced to retire from rugby league at the age of 30 after failing to recover from a serious ankle injury.

Walsh had three seasons at Saints after joining from Penrith Panthers in 2014.

Unfortunately, after a storming start to the season, Walsh suffered a career threatening leg break and ligament damage in the game against Widnes in July and was ruled out for the remainder of that Grand Final-winning campaign.

He returned and went on to complete two more seasons in the red vee, making 64 appearances, scoring 15 tries, kicking 198 goals and 20 drop goals.

Among those drops was the crucial one-pointer at Huddersfield in the Challenge Cup.

He moved on to Catalans in 2017 but suffered significant ankle-ligament damage in the third match of the 2018 Super League season at Hull KR on February 15.

Walsh has now taken the advice of several doctors to hang up his boots.

Catalans head coach Steve McNamara said: "It's always sad when a player has to retire early due to injury.

"Luke has tried everything possible to get himself into a position to play again but unfortunately that can't happen.

"His commitment and contribution to the Dragons is something we as a club really appreciate."

Walsh enjoyed a distinguished career in the NRL where he made 140 appearances for Newcastle and Penrith, and was a high-profile capture for St Helens ahead of the 2014 season.

Catalans chief executive Christophe Jouffret said: "Walshy has been a great player for our club who always produced brilliant and consistent performances.

"His capacity to organise, his kicking game and his professionalism both on and off the field were second to none."

Walsh said: "I would like to thank the club for the support since I arrived.

"I have made some good friends here and I'd like to thank the coaching staff, especially Laurent Frayssinous who recruited me to the club.

"I wish all the best to the boys for the rest of the year and for the future of the club."

McNamara has already begun the search for a replacement and failed in a bid to sign former England scrum-half Matty Smith on loan from Saints.