‘Legend’ Mckenzie calls time on professional career after body tells him to stop
Edinburgh lock Fraser Mckenzie has announced his retirement from professional rugby after struggling with a series of shoulder problems.
The 33-year-old former Sale and Newcastle forward is hanging up his boots after 119 appearances for Edinburgh over two spells in the capital.
“Obviously there is never a right time to retire or give up the game you love doing, but unfortunately your body tells you when it’s time to stop and for me that’s now,” said Mckenzie.
“I suffered a shoulder injury against Scarlets last year and I rehabbed it fully throughout the lockdown period. But then coming back to face Glasgow Warriors in August 2020 I dislocated it again, which meant I had to go for further surgery.
“It’s been an accumulation of injuries and my body has definitely been struggling with the rigours of professional rugby.
“At the end of the day, I’m still a young man and I’ve had a good innings throughout my career. Injury means that I’m stepping away but I’m proud of what I’ve achieved.”
Mckenzie captained Edinburgh during the 2017-18 season, leading them to the Guinness Pro14 play-offs.
The former Scotland under-20 captain started his career at Dunfermline, his local club. He was included in the 36-man Scotland squad for the 2012 Six Nations but was forced to withdraw with a shoulder injury.
Meanwhile, Huw Jones is set to miss the rest of the season and his Glasgow and Scotland team-mates Adam Hastings and Scott Cummings could join him.
Warriors said centre or fullback Jones will likely sit out the rest of the campaign after surgery on a foot injury sustained against Montpellier earlier this month. Stand-off Hastings will miss several weeks with a facial fracture suffered against the French side while lock Cummings – a potential British and Irish Lions contender – has had surgery on a hand injury sustained while playing for Scotland against Ireland. Both are out for the “coming weeks” but have a chance of playing again this season.
Warriors have hastened the arrival of Edinburgh flanker Rory Darge, 21, after previously signing him for next season.