England international announces shock retirement

He wrote: "My journey is coming to a end, this will be my last season. I will enjoy what the next so many months have got for me."

The 33-year-old had spent his entire senior playing career with Bath having moved there from the London Irish Academy before his move to Kingsholm.

Predominantly a winger, he is also capable of playing at centre and made in excess of 250 appearances for Bath, also winning 16 caps for England. 

Banners made a significant contribution in his first season in Cherry and White, making 24 appearances and scoring seven tries.