Australian centre Tim Horan said yesterday he would end his international career in September before joining London club Saracens.

Horan will play his last game for Queensland Reds against the ACT Brumbies in Brisbane on June 6th and will then take up a two-year contract with Saracens after the Tri-Nations series against New Zealand and South Africa in September.

"Sometimes you see people sitting on the bench at the end of their careers and I wanted to go out a year early rather than a year late," Horan told reporters.

"I would be able to play in Australia next year but the crunch was that I would be mentally tired this time next year," he said.

"I've done the same routine for 12 years now and I've totally enjoyed every day of it, but there comes a time when you have to move on."

Horan will join former Springbok captain Francois Pienaar and former Queensland team-mate Ryan Constable at Vicarage Road next season.

"Living in a foreign country is something I've wanted to do for a long time," he said.

Horan, who turns 30 today, was judged player of the tournament after Australia beat France to claim their second World Cup title in Cardiff last year.

Horan began his career with the Wallabies in 1989, making his debut as a 19-year-old in Auckland. He has played 79 tests, including 21 against the All Blacks, and scored 30 tries.

Horan played in the Australian side which won the 1991 World Cup and his credits also include Super 10 and Super Six victories with Queensland.