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Former Wasps centre Ross Neal retires due to concussion

Ross Neal in action for Seattle (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

Former Wasps centre Ross Neal has retired due to concussion at the age of 26 it has been confirmed by his club.

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The towering centre left English shores for the MLR and Seattle Seawolves, who broke the news that he was retiring over the weekend.

Neal made 29 appearances for the Seawolves since arriving in 2020, scoring 14 tries.

“It’s been an incredibly hard decision and I’m truly gutted to have to stop playing at this point in my career,” Neal said. “I had been struggling with concussion symptoms and I felt I’d been trying to downplay them as I knew what accepting them would mean.

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“This took a bit of a toll on me mentally and on the pitch, so after giving it real thought once the season had ended; I decided it would be best for me to hang up my boots.”

Neal began his career with London Irish where he came through their academy, but it was during a season in the Greene King IPA Championship with London Scottish that Neal came to the attention of Wasps’ then director of rugby Dai Young.

Starting all 22 matches in English rugby’s second tier, Neal used his 6ft 5, 110kg frame and long stride to claim eight tries.

He then went on to score twice on his Premiership debut earning considerable acclaim from the watching BT Sport pundits as Wasps claimed a 32-28 win over Bristol in November 2018.

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Frustrated by his lack of opportunity in Coventry, Neal requested early release from his contract to taste life in American Major League Rugby with the Seawolves.

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H
Hellhound 1 hour ago
The Springboks have something you don't have

Rassie has done very well with the Boks. The well will certainly not dry up soon. The amount of young talent coming through, that don't even stand a chance of making it in before 2027, is just absolutely amazing.


However, Rassie has proven to be a rugby genius. He will never rest on his laurels. It's why he keeps evolving tactics, keeping everyone on their toes. He doesn't underestimate any team. He is very aware of just how close the top teams is.


There will be no complacency not will he relax with his main stars. He is very astute, knowing that his team is getting older and thus giving the younger players much more playtime than what any other coach would do.


By the time the 2027 WC comes around, he will be prepared to defend his title and he knows one bad day will end a triple WC crown. Competition is that close. The Boks are in transition, even though it doesn't look like it.


After the 2027 WC, most of the double (possible triple) WC champs players will become unavailable due to retirement from international rugby. Rassie is already preparing the replacements, getting caps under their belts.


The top teams is just too close to underestimate and no Bok will be allowed to get complacent. Although they are by far the current most successful team and clearly the best by miles, they are not undefeatable.


Very tough to beat yes, but they can lose on the day. I am not worried. The youngsters by 2027 WC will be experienced with lots of years ahead and that should be a warning to the rest of the pack biting at their heels. Love them or hate them, but you have to admire the Boks. They truely deserve to be top dogs currently.

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