Ulster flanker David Pollock retires with hip injury
Ulster flanker David Pollock has confirmed that he will retire from rugby after failing to overcome a hip problem, which has hampered the forward for the past year and a half.
In 2006, the flanker signed a development contract with Ulster, after impressing with club side Dungannon during the season.
Pollock was offered a full time contract with the Irish province in 2007 and since then, he has represented Ulster 45 times.
Speaking to reporters, Pollock said, "It is with great sadness that I announce my early retirement from rugby. Whilst it was always my intention to resume my studies at Queens, I never intended it to be quite so soon."
The 23-year-old will be a huge loss to Ulster, after he was tipped to represent Ireland at international level. He made five appearances for Ireland A and captained the under-20’s team to a Grand Slam in 2007.
However, the medical team at Ulster believe that the player would not be capable of playing competitively with his hip injury.
"I have been advised I am no longer able to achieve the fitness required to play professional rugby. I count myself fortunate to have represented Ulster at every level from schoolboy to senior team, " he said.
"Leading out Ulster in the Heineken Cup against Stade Francais in Paris was one of the proudest moments of my rugby career."
David Humphreys, Ulster Rugby operations director, feels that Pollock’s early retirement will be to the detriment of Ulster and Irish rugby.
"Ear-marked from an early age as a future Ulster captain, David’s injury problems in recent years means that we only saw glimpses of his talent in the Ulster shirt. His retirement is a huge loss for Ulster Rugby, but fortunately for David, he has a long-term
future mapped out in the medical profession and a new challenge awaits him away from rugby."
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