Gloucester Rugby legend Ben Morgan's testimonial year was launched last night as he announced his retirement from the game.

Around 70 supporters of the famous No.8, including a number of Gloucester teammates, congregated at the SLG studios in Cheltenham for a drinks reception to mark the start of Morgan's testimonial year.

Guests watched a video showing highlights of Ben's illustrious career from his days playing as a youngster for Dursley to wearing the number 8 shirt for England.

Nicknamed the 'Dursley Bull', Morgan grew up plying his trade at his local rugby club, Dursley RFC, before starting his professional career in Wales with the Scarlets. He later moved home to Kingsholm in 2012 and since then, the number eight has been ever-present in a Cherry & White shirt.

Now after more than 180 appearances for Gloucester Rugby and 31 caps for England over the last decade, Morgan will celebrate the end of his career aptly with a testimonial year.

His events will be in support of the 4Ed campaign and the Sam Polledri Foundation. 

Ben said: "Firstly, it's a huge honour to be awarded a testimonial year with Gloucester Rugby. Playing for my home club over the last 11 years has been a huge privilege and I'll be retiring with memories that I'll look back on with a great sense of pride. 

"I move into my next chapter with great excitement as I look to develop my business career with No.8 Scaffolding.

"I'm really looking forward to getting my testimonial year underway to make sure that we can raise as much money as we can for the 4Ed campaign and the Sam Polledri foundation. They're both causes very close to us at Gloucester.

Asked by Punchline editor Mark Owen about his decision to retire, Ben said: "I made the decision right at the start of the season. It's one that I've been keeping an eye on for a while but just felt this was the right time for me to go out on a high.

"I've been very fortunate to have been part of this club for the past 11 seasons, playing for the club that I supported as a kid for over a decade and that can't continue forever."

Gloucester Rugby's chief operating officer Alex Brown said: "It's a great honour for Ben to be celebrating his testimonial at his home-town side. He has given a tremendous amount to this club and we're delighted that we can celebrate this with him.

"He's committed the majority of his playing career to Gloucester Rugby and will hang up his boots knowing he leaves a lasting legacy in Cherry & White. I know that he's very eager to leave his mark on the field too with plenty of the season remaining before he bows out.

"Whilst we'll be sad to see him go at the end of the season, we're really looking forward to supporting his events and raising money for two very worthy causes."

Ben is excited by the events his testimonial committee has planned, including a Rugby 7s tournament, dinner and dance, a Three Peaks Challenge, golf day and World Cup Legends dinner.

He added: "We'll be kicking off in style later this year with a 7s tournament at Kingsholm which I can't wait to share with you all. It'll be a great way to get all the Gloucester Rugby community together."

You can find out more about Ben's events at benmorgantestimonial.co.uk  and @morgantestimonial  on Instagram.

Talking to Punchline about his career after rugby, Ben said: "I've got business interests outside of rugby with my scaffolding company, development company and a window company. I've got lots of things that will be my future and my family's future, coupled with the fact that I've got four children at home which takes up a little bit of time, so it's about time I give my wife a bit of support."

Ben said that his company No.8 Scaffolding which he launched in 2017 currently had 25 to 30 employees working all over Gloucestershire, with a turnover of more than £1.5 million.

He added: "We're going really well. We've just built up a steady business that's looking to grow."