Rory Lawson: Forced to quit rugby due to wrist injury
Scotland scrum-half Rory Lawson has been forced to retire from all rugby due to a chronic wrist problem.
The Newcastle star has admitted defeat in his battle to overcome the injury, and he has followed medical advice to call time on his 14-year professional career.
The 32-year-old made 31 appearances for Scotland after making his debut against Australia in 2006 and featured in both the 2007 and 2011 World Cup tournaments.
Lawson, who also captained his country five times, began his club career at Edinburgh before enjoying a successful six years with Gloucester, helping them lift the LV= Cup and reach the Aviva Premiership play-offs in 2011.
He joined the Falcons last year and scored four tries in 23 appearances as they secured promotion back to the top flight, and he is naturally frustrated at having to hang up his boots due to injury.
"I'm obviously gutted to have been forced to stop playing the game I love, but I'll always look back on my career with immense pride," said Lawson.
"I've thoroughly enjoyed my time at Newcastle Falcons, and I've loved every minute of my stay in the North East, a region that is passionate about its rugby.
"I'm not entirely sure what the future holds at this stage but there are a few opportunities to explore and I will continue to work closely with my RPA player development manager, Mandy Thompson, to identify what areas to focus on over the coming months and I'd like to thank her for her amazing support through this transition."
Falcons director of rugby Dean Richards said: "Rory has been a magnificent servant to the game and he will be sorely missed.
"He's a quality player, whose enthusiasm, wealth of knowledge and experience has really rubbed off on our players ever since he arrived at the club.
"I thank him for his commitment to the club last season in helping us achieve our main objective of Premiership rugby, and I think I speak on behalf of everyone at the club in wishing him all the very best for the future." Source : http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12505/8859217/newcastle-and-scotland-scrum-half-rory-lawson-forced-to-retire-from-rugby
