Aviva Premiership
Olly Morgan forced to retire through injury
ESPN Staff
October 9, 2013
Olly Morgan dives to score for Gloucester in 2009 © Getty Images
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Former England fullback Olly Morgan has had to retire from professional rugby after failing to overcome ligament damage sustained in January 2012.

Morgan, 27, played twice for England in the 2007 Six Nations but managed 120 starts for Gloucester in eight seasons in an injury-blighted career.

He tore his lateral collateral and anterior cruciate ligaments in a Premiership fixture against Worcester Warriors and underwent a series of operations but admitted he had now accepted that his knee would not be able to withstand the rigours of professional rugby.

"It's been such a difficult decision," he said. "Even though I've had a long time to consider this moment, it doesn't make it any easier. The frustrating element is that we've actually made so much progress with my knee.

"However, I have had to reluctantly accept that, the knee would not be able to cope with the stresses of matches week in and week out, as well as regular training sessions. It would just be too much.

"It's disappointing that injury got the better of me. But that's a fact of life in modern rugby."

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