Gloucester lock Ed Slater has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) and has retired from rugby union with immediate effect.
Slater, 33, was diagnosed last week following six months of testing.
He made three appearances for Gloucester in the Premiership last season, the most recent in January.
He wrote on Twitter: "I want to say Thank You to everyone for all your messages of support and generosity. It gives me and my family a huge amount of strength in a time of sadness for us.
"I will meet this challenge head on. Ultimately I can’t win but I will fight with everything. Hope is not lost."
While Ed, his family and the Club take time to determine next steps, Gloucester Rugby have opened a JustGiving page. The direction of these funds will be determined in due course, whether it be supporting Ed and his family directly and/or a selected MND charity.
To donate, please click here.