What became of the Welsh players whose rugby careers were cut short?
YOU always want to go out on your own terms.
Whether it’s rugby or any other walk of life, choosing how you call it a day is a luxury not afforded to everyone.
Several Welsh rugby stars have been forced to hang up their boots the wrong side of their 30th birthday, and this is what they chose to do next.
Rhun Williams
The talented Cardiff Blues full-back was forced to retire at the age of 22 earlier this year.
Williams suffered left-sided peripheral nerve damage as he made a try-saving tackle against Zebre in February 2018.
The former U20s Grand Slam winner, who was called up to the Wales senior squad in 2017, was advised to hang up his boots after two years of extensive rehabilitation.
He said: “I’m obviously really disappointed to be given the news that I will be unable to return to rugby.
“I have done everything I can to get back, but unfortunately that’s the specialist’s advice at this time.”
Sam Warburton
The former Wales and British and Irish Lions captain announced his shock retirement in the summer of 2018.
Warburton was forced to admit his tiring body could no longer cope with the rigours of professional rugby as he hung up his boots at the age of 29.
He underwent neck and then knee surgery in an attempt to return to full fitness, but upon returning to pre-season training with Cardiff Blues, the back-row forward decided he would not be able to return to his best form.
“Unfortunately after a long period of rest and rehabilitation the decision to retire from rugby has been made with my health and wellbeing as a priority,” Warburton said.
Since retiring, Warburton has done plenty of television work as a pundit, published an autobiography and been added to Wayne Pivac’s coaching ticket with Wales as a breakdown technical adviser.
Eli Walker
The elusive Ospreys winger was tipped for Wales honours, but injuries always kept him from fulfilling his potential.
He did manage to pull on the red jersey just the one time – making his only Wales appearance in a World Cup warm-up match against Ireland in Cardiff in 2015.
However, at the age of 25, he was forced to admit defeat in his battle with injuries, after failing to recover from back surgery.
Since retiring, Walker had a foray into boxing, has picked up a master’s degree from Cardiff Met University and launched his own construction company.
Jack Condy
Scarlets back-rower Condy was forced to hang up his boots aged just 23.
He had been battling a chronic knee injury in his final few seasons in rugby, before receiving medical advice that it was better to step away from the game.
At the time, the Penallta product said: “Following consultations and thorough medical advice it is with great sadness that I have to accept that I will play no further part on the field and will be retiring from rugby at the end of the season.
“It has become clear over the past 12 months that it is not possible to continue to play at a professional level after sustaining such a significant knee injury years ago.”
Ben John
The Ospreys back retired in January 2019 at the age of 27, having taken a year out of the game after a number of head injuries.
His last appearance on a rugby pitch was a Boxing Day encounter with the Scarlets, his third concussion that year.
Following his year out of the game, he was forced to make the call after it became clear he couldn’t return to the sport he loved.
Since retiring, John has focused on his career as a personal trainer.
Harry Robinson
Having been forced to retire in 2016 through a neck injury, the 23-yearold has set up his own practice – Harry Robinson Wealth Management – dealing with mortgages, protection,