Ryan laments 'tragic waste'

Forrester: Fitness battle

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Gloucester number eight James Forrester has announced his retirement from professional rugby following a lengthy battle against injury.

Forrester, regarded as a gifted game-breaker, has struggled with fitness since suffering a horrific knee injury against Bristol April 2007.

Despite a series of operations and an intensive rehabilitation programme, his comeback was stopped short when he broke down during a Guinness A League match against Sale in Spetember.

And on Friday the 27-year-old, who came through the academy set-up at Kingsholm, was finally forced to admit defeat in the battle to save his career.

Speaking to Gloucester Rugby's website, Forrester, who also won two England caps, said he was devastated by the decision.

"I have put everything I have into getting back to fitness and demanded more of myself in this recovery process than I thought possible," he said.

Devastated

"But it is simply not going to be and I have been forced to make the hardest decision any player will ever have to make.

"Naturally, I am devastated my career has ended in this way but I have poured every ounce of effort into getting back to fitness for more than 16 months but I now know it's not going to be enough.

"I suffered a set-back after the game against Sale and have undergone another operation.

"That alone means I would be out for another eight months and it is simply not feasible to continue.

Forrester scored 51 tries in 134 appearances for his club, including three hat-tricks and the winner in the 2006 European Challenge Cup final.

He added: "I have had a wonderful career and have a treasure trove of memories.

"I have been fortunate to have been involved with Gloucester during one of their most high profile and successful periods in their history and I would like to thank everyone involved at the club for making it such a special place - it will always be with me."

Prodigious talent

Gloucester's head coach Dean Ryan described the loss of such a key player as a 'tragic waste' but insisted that Forrester would not be forgotten at Kingsholm.

"When any player's career is cut short through injury it is a tragic waste," he said.

"But even more so in James's case because he was such a prodigious talent.

"It is difficult to put into words just how hard he worked to return to full fitness - it was a testament to his desire to get back into the game after such a bad injury.

"He has played a massive part in Gloucester's recent history and his place within the club is assured."