Chris Kirwan, South Wales Argus writes :

Newport fans’ favourite Mark Workman has hung up his boots after 12 seasons and 287 appearances in Black and Amber.
The popular 36-year-old lock, who played a lot of his rugby in the back row at the start of his career, called it a day after Monday’s play-off defeat to Swansea.

Workman made his Newport debut in 1993 against London Welsh and only 18 others have made more appearances for the Rodney Parade club. He took a back seat this season and helped in the development of fellow second row forwards Alex Jones, Dafydd Rosser, Adam Frampton and Adam Brown, a role that he relished.

He said: “I enjoyed playing 20 minutes here and there but the first play-off game down at Swansea when they put 60 points on us convinced me that it is a young man’s game – it was hard work out there! I always said I would do a job for Newport as long as I was required but it wouldn’t be the same going anywhere else. I had five seasons at Caerphilly, but I didn’t really want to leave back then and I couldn’t imagine playing for another side now.”

He added: “I understand that they want to bring some younger players through and there are no hard feelings. I’ve just been delighted to play my part for so long. I came back to Newport and didn’t know what role I was going to play then so every game has been a bonus. I’ve been a bit-part player of late but I have loved every minute of it.”

Workman, a civil servant, has no plans to go into coaching and plans a year away from the game, apart from being on the touchline in Machen that is. His son Thomas, 10, has taken up rugby, but it’s a bit early to establish whether his daughter Carys will develop a love of the game.

“Playing for Wales A against France at Rodney Parade was a big moment then there was Wales sevens, a few semi-finals with Newport and playing with some great players like Muddy (David Waters),” he said. “I also enjoyed a fair bit of success with Caerphilly and got to a European final (in the Parker Pen Shield), but it’s my time with Newport that stands out and I definitely have no regrets.”