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Ben John steps away from game over long term health fears

Ben John

Ospreys wing Ben John has confirmed that he is to take a 12-month sabbatical from rugby as he recovers from the latest of a series of head injuries that have affected him over the last year.

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The 26-year old has been sidelined since the Boxing Day game against the Scarlets when he left the action shortly before half-time following an aerial collision.

That was the third such incident to affect Ben during 2017, limiting him to just 10 appearances since the start of last year.

Specialist advice was for Ben to sit out the remainder of this season, after which time he is expected to make a full recovery with no long-term concerns. However, the player himself has made the decision to take an extended break from playing in order to look at his long-term options.

Speaking after confirming the news, John said: “I’ve spent a lot of time on the sidelines over the last year, dealing with the effects of head injuries, and it has made me think longer-term than just the next match or the next month. When you find yourself in that position it does make you think long and hard about your future.

“While the specialist opinion is that I’ll be ready to play after a six-month break, I’ve decided it’s in my best interests to take a year out and use that time wisely. I want to look at my options in terms of life outside of rugby and prepare for the future, while ensuring I’m fully rested and ready to go again next year.

“The support I’ve had from everybody at the Ospreys has been fantastic, not just over the last year or so while I’ve been dealing with these issues but for the last 10 years, having come through the age-grade system here. I’m grateful for that support which has certainly helped me no end during some tough times.

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“Taking time out gives me the opportunity to look at new experiences and options before resuming my career next year refreshed and fully fit.”

Dan Griffiths. Rugby General Manager at the Ospreys, said: “Ben has been a great club man over the last 10 years, someone who has always given everything to the cause on and off the field, including taking his first steps on the coaching pathway within the age-grade set-up.

“The last year or so has been very difficult for him but he has dealt with it very maturely and, by taking an extended break, is giving himself time to not only look at future options but to ensure he is fully refreshed and in the best possible health for 2019 and beyond. We look forward to seeing him back in action soon.”

The former Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr pupil’s early rugby days were spent at Loughor RFC. He then represented his home region at age-grade level before graduating to the Principality Premiership with Aberavon, scoring eight tries in 60 matches for the Wizards.

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Capped at all Wales age-grade levels, he went to the 2010 Junior World Championships in Argentina, just months after making his Ospreys debut in an LV= Cup win over Leeds Carnegie at the Liberty Stadium.

He has made 79 regional appearances, scoring 15 tries.

Elswhere Brian O’Driscoll has been reacting to the news that Jamie Heaslip is retiring with immediate effect.

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f
fl 7 hours ago
Steve Borthwick urged by predecessor to make radical Ben Earl decision

1) I didn’t say he wasn’t good enough for Wales. I said he wasn’t good enough for England or SA, but that he would be good enough for Wales.


2) I didn’t include the u20 games which Ojomoh and Atkinson played in. Ojomoh has played 69 senior professional matches for Bath, and a further 4 for the England under 20s. Atkinson has played 52 senior professional matches for Gloucester and 10 for Worcester. He has never been capped by England u20s.


3) Ojomoh is pretty much a guaranteed starter. He started some games off the bench when he was returning from injury, but before the international break he had a run of 4 consecutive starts.


4) Atkinson is absolutely a guaranteed starter. He’s been a starter in 47 of his 52 games for Gloucester. 1 minute off the bench counts as a pro game so is important to note that BJVR has his appearance stats inflated by a relatively large (compared to Atkinson) number of appearances when he was on the pitch for less than 5 minutes.


5) It is genuinely impressive that you managed to get so many basic facts wrong in just one relatively short comment. It is a shame that you are not coming to this with an open mind, but to be clear no one is saying that BJVR is a bad player, but given there are good young English options, it makes more sense to develop them rather than expect a 29 year old (as he will be when he becomes eligible for England) to come into the team and immediately excel.

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