Thom Evans forced to Retire

Risteard

I know it was discussed on another thread but I think it deserves one of its own.

Link

THOM Evans has been forced to retire from rugby after accepting medical advice that he could never rediscover the feats that made him an international star following the serious spinal injury he suffered in the RBS Six Nations Championship in February.

The 25-year-old winger seriously damaged two vertebrae in an awkward collision with Lee Byrne in the international between Wales and Scotland at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium. He was stretchered off the field in a neck brace and as the severity of his condition emerged it was reported that the on-field care by physios and Dr James Robson, the experienced Scottish medic, had played a significant role in ensuring he did not suffer permanent paralysis.

Evans underwent an operation within hours of the game and was given the option of further surgery to stabilise his spine later in the week, but aware that this would severely limit his chances of returning to the athletic fitness and movement necessary to play again at the top level of international sport.

In the four months since the operations, he has impressed family, friends and teammates with his desire and commitment to return to full health and while he still cannot sprint at the speeds with which he once shredded Test defences he has been walking and jogging for some time.

Evans spoke of his longing to play rugby again were it possible, but knew virtually from the moment he went under the surgeon's knife that that was unlikely. He was unavailable for comment yesterday, as he was at Wimbledon watching Andy Murray's performance on Centre Court, but The Scotsman understands that he has informed family and friends that he will not defy medical opinion, with the further complications that would bring of trying to find insurance to resume a professional career, and is content to hang up his boots and look at different career options.

Roger Baird, a Scotland winger of the 1980s and a mentor to Evans through the 'Winning Scotland' programme, said: "It is devastating for Thom because all you want to do is play top-class rugby for as long as you can, and there is no doubt he would have contributed a lot to Scottish rugby in the years to come.

"It is also a huge blow for the Scottish game and the Glasgow and Scotland teams because we just don't have players with his searing out-and-out pace. "Although he was quite late to rugby we spoke a lot about his defence, positioning and other things and he took them all on and didn't make the same mistake twice. He is genuinely brave and strong, with good intelligence for the game, and I could only see him getting better.

"But you also have to get things into perspective," Baird added. "The great thing is that Thom is able to walk.

Sad to see. I thought he was one of the better Scottish backs and had some good pace. Never good to see a player retire through injury and reminds us the dangers the players put themselves into on the rugby pitch.

Gelio

gutted for the lad, but in the bigger picture its the right decision. I'm not sure if having Max is a good thing for him or not.

FridaysWell

Risteard wrote: »

I know it was discussed on another thread but I think it deserves one of its own.

Link

Sad to see. I thought he was one of the better Scottish backs and had some good pace. Never good to see a player retire through injury and reminds us the dangers the players put themselves into on the rugby pitch.

Scotland has lost a great player. Indeed we all have.

Junior

We may have lost a great player, but I hope he's not lost to rugby completely.

anonymous_joe

Hopefully he'll be able to return like Steve Thompson did.

Zzippy

Very sad to hear, he was a real flyer and will be a huge loss to Scottish rugby. I remember reading before that he could have been a golf pro, he was that good at it. Maybe he'll go back to that and give it a go, if the injury permits...

Diabhal Beag

I remember that challenge. It was awful. He made the right decision though in the long-term.

funky penguin

Poor chap you really have to feel for him, if it hadn't happened, you get the feeling it would have been a special 6N's for him. He really was a potent attacking force for Scotland's backline.

Wish him all the best in the future.

chupacabra

Its a sad day for rugby when you see someone like Thom having to retire because of an on-field injury. He was a smashing player for Scotland and Glasgow, and had what it takes to be one of the greats. I always supported Scotland whenever they weren't playing Ireland and I always got excited when he got his hands on the ball. Cant imagine how he must feel about it but thank god it wasn't worse than it is.

chris85

I hope he stay in rugby for himself as will ba hard for him being so young being out of the game. It was tough what happened i remember seeing it but was just one of those things that happened. it does remind of the dangers.

Utopia Parkway

Sad alright when you consider that he was an outside shout for the Lions tour last Summer and now his rugby career is finished. You never know what's around the corner. Best of luck to him.

bamboozle

awful shame, hope he stays within the game in some form.

toomevara

Shame from a rugby/professional point of view, but really, big picture, he's a very lucky Buachaill to be walking around at all...no doubt that keeps things in perspective for him.

[Jackass]

That's a damn shame. The best Scottish back I've seen in a long time.

Ciaran-Irl

He supposedly gave an incredibly moving team talk before the game against England in the 6 nations. Hugely popular figure in the team. Big loss to rugby.

I wonder if he would consider a career as a referee?! Scotland sure could do with someone decent.

razorblunt

Ciaran-Irl wrote: »

He supposedly gave an incredibly moving team talk before the game against England in the 6 nations. Hugely popular figure in the team. Big loss to rugby.

I wonder if he would consider a career as a referee?! Scotland sure could do with someone decent.

Thats a great shout, could definitely do with someone that played the game at a high level.

It seems to be worse that he was relatively high profile you never think its going to happen to anyone like that. I found it really hard when I had to stop playing it must be tons worse having to stop an international and possibly more at such a young age!!

thomond2006

Gutted for him, as many of ye have said he was a very good player for Scotland and Glasgow.

PhatPiggins

thomond2006 wrote: »

Gutted for him, as many of ye have said he was a very good player for Scotland and Glasgow.

Lets not getting too carried away with his talent. He was very fast but often as dull as dish water when it came to decision making.

Been on hols thomond?