Rugby: Prop's retirement is bitter blow for Burgh

The 29-year-old suffered a shoulder injury five minutes into Saturday's 47-7 defeat to Oban Lorne at Ardencaple.

After considering hanging up his boots in the summer following a string of injuries, Hart revealed the latest problem was one too many for Flanagan.

In a season where Hart has struggled to get a regular team on the pitch and been forced to rely on young player the coach conceded he will be difficult to replace.

He said: "We lost Liam Flanagan, our tighthead prop after five minutes on Saturday, he's by far our best scrummager. He's really badly damaged his shoulder so he's called quits on his career.

"He's had too many injuries. We don't know exactly the damage yet but he's damaged his rotator cuff as well.

"A prop reaches his prime between 28 and mid-30s so it's a big blow. He hinted at it last season and because of his work he's decided he has to stop.

"It was a bigger blow than the defeat, it effected the game on Saturday and he'll be a big miss for the rest of the season."

Hart has implemented the club's no train, no play policy this season. It is an attempt to halt the pattern of the the last few seasons where the Grizzlies have struggled to get a regular team on the pitch.

However Hart warned the policy will take some time to bear fruit with a number of young players being blooded at Ardencaple this season.

He said: "We had 30 guys unavailable on Saturday not including injuries, so two starting teams.

"It's been a struggle this season to try and rebuild the culture. We've got a lot of turnover of players every week, week to week players are having to change positions, it doesn't help for continuity.

"I said when I first started that it won't be a one season fix, you can't change a team culture quickly it will take a couple of years for the club to see the benefit of it.

"We have to stick to the no train, no play policy. If not it doesn't help what we are trying to achieve."