SM
Cagliari vs. Juventus: 16 hrs 5 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Scotland

David Denton 'relieved' to retire from rugby

:Headline: David Denton 'relieved' to retire from rugby: ID:371627: from db_amp
The Scotland forward has been through an 11-month concussion battle.

Scotland forward David Denton admits it is a relief to be retiring after finally giving up on his 11-month concussion battle.

The 29-year-old Leicester back-rower has decided to hang up his boots on the advice of doctors after he was told he would be risking his long-term health if he suffered another bang to the head.

Denton, who won the last of his 42 caps for Scotland in Argentina last summer, told the Scottish Rugby website: "My actual reaction at the time my neurologist told me it was no longer a good idea to play rugby, to be honest there was a bit of relief.

"This had been building up inside of me for four to five months. By the time I got to it, I had been through all the emotional highs and lows, so I was prepared for it.

“Every time I tried to go through the comeback protocol, I'd fail. I've tried everything but nothing's worked”
-

"Of course it is devastating that my rugby career is ending. After a few years where I had a series of injuries, I had got myself back into a position where I felt, physically and mentally, that I could play the best rugby of my career.

"Since I was 14 or 15 my identity has been forged around being a sportsman, a rugby player. Now, at the age of 29, a few years before I expected, the circumstances have changed."

Former Edinburgh number eight Denton suffered a blow to the temple during Tigers' league clash with Northampton Saints at Twickenham last October.

But his attempts to make a return to the game floundered before he was finally given the news by neurosurgeon Richard Sylvester this week that, for his own good, he should call time on his career.

In a separate interview with the Times, he said: "I have had this thing hanging over me for a long time now.

"Since the injury I have woken up every morning with pressure in my head and visual disturbances and not really knowing what is going on.

"Pretty much for that whole time I've been assuming that next week I will be better. Every time I tried to go through the comeback protocol, I'd fail. I've tried everything but nothing's worked."

Had he been fit, Zimbabwe-born Denton would have been in contention for a place in Gregor Townsend's Scotland squad for the World Cup in Japan.

And the number eight – who qualified for the Scots thanks to his mother Joy, who is from Glasgow – admits he will miss pulling on a dark blue jersey.

"The idea of never being able to run out in front of 70,000 people at Murrayfield again is not enjoyable," said Denton, who now plans to move back to Edinburgh with his fiancee Shelly and baby son Logan as he eyes a future in business.

David Denton was desperate to make Scotland's squad for the World Cup (Andrew Matthews/PA)

"I so want the boys to do well [in Japan] and would so want to be there but that is not going to happen.

"It is important to me that I don't look back with sadness at what could have been, instead look forward and remain proud of what has been. There was a lot more I wanted to achieve. All of a sudden I am not able to do that."

Townsend paid tribute to Denton in a statement, saying: "We're really disappointed that someone who still had a lot to offer the game, both at club level and for Scotland hasn't been able to do that, but our first thoughts are with his health and his life beyond rugby and it seems to be the right decision to retire.

"As coaches we really enjoyed working with Dave over the years and we wish him all the best in life after rugby."

amp_article__371627 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-09-16 07:05:04:
html db last update - 2021-02-22 00:46:03 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about David Denton

Click here for more stories about Scotland

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
2Arsenal32225575264971
3Liverpool32218372314171
4Aston Villa33196868491963
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle321551269521750
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd32155124748-150
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham33139115258-648
9Chelsea31138106152947
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves32127134651-543
12Fulham33126154951-242
13Bournemouth32119124757-1042
14Crystal Palace3289153754-1733
15Brentford3388174758-1132
16Everton3298153248-1627
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3379174258-1626
18Luton TownLuton3367204670-2425
19Burnley3348213368-3520
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3237223084-5416
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .