Aviva Premiership
Wasps stalwart John Hart retires
ESPNscrum Staff
April 12, 2012
Wasps' John Hart charges forward, Wasps v Rovigo, Amlin Challenge Cup, Adams Park, Wycombe, England, November 20, 2011
John Hart on the charge for Wasps © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: John Hart
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Teams: England | Wasps

Wasps stalwart John Hart has announced his immediate retirement from the game due to a shoulder injury.

In an unprecedented season of injuries at the Aviva Premiership side, Hart has become the fifth Wasps player to call time on his rugby career. Joe Worsley, Dan Ward Smith, Steve Thompson and Tom Rees have all confirmed their retirement this term with the Premiership club also suffering from a raft of long-term injuries.

Hart has captained Wasps on 38 occasions and has 165 appearances to his name. And Hart admitted it was a very tough decision to call time on his career. "I'm really disappointed to bow out this way but the decision was taken out of my hands unfortunately.

"I had hoped I would be able to carry on to the end of the season but after the game against Northampton it was clear that I wouldn't be able to. I've had great support from the Club in this matter and I want to thank everyone for that through a difficult time. London Wasps has been my only Club and I have been honoured to be part of the side of over a decade.

"I will look back on my time with the Club with great pride and always know how privileged I was to win Premiership and Heineken Cup titles. I want to thank my family for all their support over the years and of course everyone at the Club and all of the supporters for everything."

Wasps Retirements

Wasps director of rugby Dai Young added: "Harty has been a lynchpin in the Wasps side for a number of years and I have been hugely impressed with him in my short time with the Club. His leadership and passion for Wasps was the reason I named him my captain at the start of the season and it's sad to see him have to retire before the season is out. We wish him all the best in the next stage of his life."

The Rugby Players' Association CEO, Damian Hopley, said: "It is hugely disappointing to lose another leader from the game through injury. John Hart is a highly respected member of the dressing room who epitomises the club ethos having graduated from Wasps' Academy.

"John will be sorely missed by Wasps' fans after showing tremendous commitment and loyalty to the club for over a decade. Very few players can claim two Premiership and two Heineken Cup medals and John deserves to look back with immense pride on everything he has achieved with London Wasps."

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