Best of luck to him in the future.
"The 31-year-old had not played for French club Brive since March due to shoulder and elbow problems, and an off-season operation on the former has not had the desired effect, leaving him with no option but to hang up his boots on medical advice.
Popham won 33 caps for his country, the most recent of which was the victory over England at Twickenham in 2008, and also played in the 2003 and 2007 World Cups.
At club level he started out with Newport and went on to play for Leeds and the Scarlets before making the move across the channel to Brive in 2008.
'We have been talking to a few different clubs and I have been waiting to see what the surgeon had to say,' he said.
'It's incredibly disappointing, but the advice is that my playing days are over and I have to accept what the experts say.
'I'm currently assessing my options, but I would love to stay in rugby and I'm going to get involved with Newbridge youth and do my coaching badges and take it from there.
'The game has given me so much, I've been all over the world and had lots of amazing experiences and memories to look back on and have also made some great friends.
'It's a sad day to realise it's the end of a chapter for me, but it also makes me extremely happy to reflect on the experiences and achievements I've been lucky enough to take in during my rugby career.'
"
Popham forced to quit
posted on 4/7/11
underated that guy - part of a successful Leeds team - which is a rarity in its self
posted on 4/7/11
Yeah, I don't think he was the complete No. 8, but he offered more than Gatland gave him credit for. When we were short of depth at No. 8 I think it was crazy the way Popham was treated.
posted on 4/7/11
I heard he fell out with Gatland - wouldnt toe the line
posted on 4/7/11
Well lads, from what i saw of him in a welsh jersey he was a pretty decent player. Sure he was not a Sergio Parisse, Harinordoquy or a Heaslip but a very useful player none-the-less and a few million miles more useful then powell. Don't get me started on that guy
posted on 4/7/11
Is Parisse the best in the world???
For me yes!
posted on 5/7/11
Lydneyian
i would not say yes. I would in fact shout it from the roof tops.
I very much doubt that anyone can argue the merits of Parisse he's incredible.
Harinordoquy also a wonderful player.
And Heaslip bringing up the rear to form the 3 best N8's in the world. All NH players but show me a N8 in the SH who is better then the aforementioned.
posted on 6/7/11
why have we got some as5hole giving people 1 star for no reason - dregs of the original 606 i suppose - take 5 to even it out
posted on 6/7/11
Lydneyian
I personally ignore the star thing mate. U cant please everyone and to be honest i get this mental image of an angry bitter type smashing the mouse button and giving one star in a defiant fashion right before his mother calls him for dinner.
He's thinking...
"Arrggg I don't agree with this at all!!!
Im gona 1 star this article thus ruining the life of the poster muuhahahahahaha" Then his mother calls him for his beans on toast.
Always makes me smile.
posted on 6/7/11
Nice image