Castleford Tigers centre James Evans has been forced to retire from rugby due to injury at the age of 32.
Australian centre calls time on career following groin injury
Castleford Tigers centre James Evans has been forced to retire from rugby due to injury at the age of 32.
The former Canberra, Huddersfield, Wakefield and Bradford player spent two seasons at the Jungle, scoring 16 tries in 31 appearances.
However, he missed the tail end of this year's campaign with a groin complaint and has been unsuccessful in his attempts to overcome the injury.
"We're massively disappointed," stated Castleford head coach Terry Matterson. "Jimmy is a quality person and we had high hopes of him bouncing back with a big 2011. He will be sorely missed.
"It is a very unselfish decision he has made with the club's best interests at heart. This way he's given the club an opportunity to find a replacement before the season gets underway and I'd like to wish him and his partner Kat all the very best for the future."
The Canberra native left the NRL to join Huddersfield in 2004 and, after a loan spell with Wakefield, moved on to Bradford in 2006.
After two years at Odsal he was released and went on to link up with Castleford.
Evans himself said: "I'd like to thank Terry and all of the coaching staff who have worked with me. The coaching and the way the club has looked after me has been first-class.
"I'm going home (to Australia) where I'll relax for the first few weeks. I've no definite plans as to what I'm going to do so I'll see what opportunities come up.
"I'll definitely be keeping a close eye on the club's fortunes in the future. I've really enjoyed my time at the Tigers."
