Retired Rimmer lucky to be alive

EXETER prop Carl Rimmer says he feels grateful to still be here after revealing how a stroke suffered in January has forced him to quit at the age of 32.

Rimmer, a hero of Chiefs’ 2016/17 Premiership titlewinning campaign, collapsed during training at Sandy Park two days after playing at Newcastle.

He had hoped to return, but an injured artery failed to heal and doctors advised him to retire.

Rimmer, below, said: “I’d just walked on to the pitch and run 50 metres at my slowest pace when I nearly knocked Stu Townsend over by falling down.

“No one knew what had happened, but when I got to hospital and they diagnosed it, I’d dissected an artery and suffered a stroke.

“I just thought, ‘It can’t be, that’s impossible. I’m only 31 and there’s no way that’s happened’. But it had and that first week was about dealing with the symptoms, family struggles and things like that.

“I was just so, so lucky to be surrounded by medical people at the club and in hospital, and after a week I was up and about. Apart from the rugby, I’ve been pretty much okay since February and my wife’s been brilliant.”

On having to quit, Rimmer added: “There was a 50-50 chance I could return to play, but when I went in for tests three months later the medics said my injury hadn’t healed properly, which meant the risks of returning to rugby were too great.

“It was like a sledgehammer to the head but as time’s gone on, and given the severity of what could have been, I’ve moved on.

“Having had such a fantastic career helps. I’m grateful for what I’ve had, winning a Premiership, LV Cups and playing in Europe, and I’ve had more Premiership caps than I ever dreamed of.”

Rimmer, who spent six seasons at Chiefs, will embark on a new career in the construction industry.