Leicester tigers star retires due to concussion, aged 29 - ruck

LEICESTER TIGERS HOOKER JIMMY STEVENS HAS ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT FROM PROFESSIONAL RUGBY. The 29-year-old, who has been unsuccessful in his attempt to return to the top-flight since

suffering concussion in the 2018/19 season, has made the decision to call time on his career on the advice of medical experts. > BREAKING: Jimmy Stevens retires from rugby after his 

second spell at > Tigers >  > The Hooker made the decision on medical advice after a string of > concussions >  > Thanks for everything and all the best in the future Jimmy

> 👏#tigersfamily > — The Tigers Maul (@thetigersmaul) May 5, 2020 A Tigers Academy graduate, Stevens made his senior debut for the club in 2012 and earned England age-group

recognition during his first spell in Leicester before playing for London Irish and Nottingham. In the summer of 2018, Stevens returned to Welford Road and has made 11 appearances for Tigers

since debuting as a 20-year-old. Stevens admitted he was “gutted” to be retiring but accepted the decision. EDITORS PICKS: “I’m gutted to be retiring, but I have to take the recommended

advice from the health professionals,” he said. “I’ll miss enjoying a good win with my mates and socialising with them after.” “All I knew from a fairly young age is that I wanted to play

rugby, whether that was playing for St. Ives with my brothers or being lucky enough to play the game professionally.” FULL LIST OF LEICESTER TIGERS DEPARTEES _(Bold denotes Development Squad

player)_ * KESTON LINES * Tatafu Polota-Nau * Gaston Cortes * Owen Hills * Will Spencer * Joe Batley (Loan expired) * CAMERON JORDAN * Ifereimi Boladau (Loan Expired) * Guy Thompson * SAM

EVELEIGH * Sione Kalamafoni * SAM COSTELOW (CONFIRMED TO SCARLETS) * Joe Thomas * EW Viljoen * Andy Forsyth (Loan expired) * Jonah Holmes * Jonny May (confirmed to Gloucester) * Adam

Thompstone * Rory Hughes (Loan expired) * LEO GILLILAND * KYRAN BUNGAROO * Jimm Stevens (retiring) ------------------------- LEICESTER TIGERS | FOUR PERFECT REPLACEMENTS FOR JONNY MAY

LEICESTER TIGERS HAVE ALREADY LOST JONNY MAY TO GLOUCESTER AND JONAH HOLMES TO DRAGONS, WHICH SEVERELY DEPLETES THEIR WIDE-MEN RANKS. They have already signed Fijian powerhouse Nemani Nadolo

for next season, but need reinforcements with Rory Hughes also set to depart when his loan from Glasgow expires. Here’s a list of four wingers who would be seen as great signings for

Tigers: 1. MARLAND YARDE Tigers were linked with the England international speedster before the quarantine began. There was then a report from The Rugby Paper that he’d signed a new deal

with Sale, but that hasn’t been confirmed. If Tigers can get him in, the 27-year-old would guarantee tries as long as he remains fit. Absolutely a player to consider. CONTINUES ON PAGE 2

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