By Gareth James

Wales international hooker Scott Baldwin has announced his retirement from playing and will take up a coaching role at Gallagher Premiership club Newcastle.

Baldwin, 34, made more than 180 appearances for the Ospreys, in addition to spells in the Premiership with Harlequins and Worcester.

He also won 37 Test caps, and featured three times as a replacement during Wales’ Guinness Six Nations campaign last season.

“The opportunity to represent my country at rugby was a dream come true,” Baldwin said, in a statement released by the Ospreys.

“However, every great adventure must come to an end, and it is time for me to retire and pursue the next phase of my life.

💬 "𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙞𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙚𝙧𝙨. 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙚𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜."

– Scott Baldwin, who today became Newcastle Falcons' defence coach.https://t.co/gNT8I66Nzl pic.twitter.com/TkP0VIXIrD

— Newcastle Falcons (@FalconsRugby) June 20, 2023

“It was tough to make the choice, but the time is right. It is not an easy decision because playing rugby is my passion, but I feel it is time to step back and focus on my coaching career.”

Newcastle confirmed that Baldwin will join their set-up as defence coach.

Falcons head coach Alex Codling said: “Scott has got a huge amount of experience from playing in the Premiership, United Rugby Championship and internationally over a number of years, and he will bring a wealth of knowledge to the role.”