Horsman hangs up his boots

Wales prop quits on medical grounds

Last updated: 1st July 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Horsman hangs up his boots

Horsman: Retiring

It has been a decision between my health and family and the game I love - I had to make the right choice and do it wisely.

Chris Horsman
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Worcester have confirmed that Wales prop Chris Horsman has retired from professional rugby with immediate effect.

Horsman made 62 appearances for the Warriors - however he has made only seven starts in the past seven years.

And having received medical advice on a serious neck injury, Horsman has decided to hang up his boots.

"The news that Chris Horsman has been advised to retire from professional rugby has not been unexpected," said Worcester director of rugby Mike Ruddock.

"Despite Chris making a huge effort to come through this latest setback, unfortunately the injury is of the type and magnitude that will prevent him continuing to play at this level.

"Chris has been a fantastic player for the Warriors and for Wales and it really is a shame that his career has to end when he would have been at the peak of his powers.

"My link with Chris is a particularly strong one as I gave him his first cap for Wales. It's therefore a big blow for the club and particularly for Chris that he has had to retire from rugby and I know how difficult that is to deal with having gone through something similar myself many years ago.

"I wish Chris every success in the new challenges ahead and he will always be welcome back here at Sixways Stadium at any time."

Decision

Horsman admitted that after a number of operations, it was time to put his health first.

"It has been a decision between my health and family and the game I love - I had to make the right choice and do it wisely," said Horsman.

"I have had almost 20 operations from rugby and having had cancer twice I have been through it, sometimes the biggest and hardest decision is to say enough is enough.

"Rugby has been a huge part of my life for 12 years. I would do it for nothing, I would pay to do it, so I have been very fortunate with the things I have achieved and the people I have met and teams I have played for, particularly Worcester and Wales.

"I have a lovely family and beautiful wife, I'm pleased that I have got what I have outside of rugby and that the sport has given me the opportunity for fantastic life experiences and lead the life I have.

"The club have indicated that they want me to stay involved in some capacity and it's something I would like, I would love to keep my links with Warriors, it is a club close to my heart and out of all the clubs I have played for it has made a massive impression on me," he added.

"The supporters, Cecil Duckworth and the coaches and players have been fantastic to me. But ultimately it is a decision I have had to make with my family to retire."