Bath Rugby centre Dan Hipkiss has announced that he has been forced to retire from professional rugby due to a shoulder injury.

The former England international suffered the injury during Bath's Aviva Premiership defeat against Wasps last January.

Hipkiss, who signed a new deal with Bath in March, has said that he decided to retire due to medical advice.

"It's not the way anyone wants to leave the game, but when the doctor tells you it's time you have to listen to them," Sky Sports News quotes him as saying.

"I've loved my time at Bath, and was really looking forward to another year here. The club have made some great signings in the likes of Jonathan Joseph, George Ford and Anthony Watson, and I was excited to play alongside them and be part of their development, as well as the club's future."

Hipkiss won 13 caps for his country.