Neck Injury ends former Wales international and Northampton Saints scrum half Ryan Powell’s career
Northampton based English professional Rugby Union side, Northampton Saints, has announced the retirement of their injured scrumhalf, Ryan Powell from the game. The club confirmed th news of
the former Wales international, Powell, in a statement released on their website on Monday, August 15.
Powell sustained a serious neck injury in early 2011, during the 2010/11 English and European season. However, after the careful examination of the injury and its actual intent, doctors advised
him, not to risk his life by playing with this injury again.
Powell has expressed his shock and disappointment on his sudden departure from the professional rugby. He said, “Obviously I'm gutted and devastated that my career has finished this way. It's
been a massive shock and it probably won't sink in until I'm watching the players running out and I'm not a part of it.”
The 31-year-old Powell started his professional Rugby Union career, with the Cardiff Blues in 1999. At the start of the 2006 season, Powell joined the Worcester Warriors and remained there,
until the end of the 2009/10 season.
Former Wales international joined the Northampton Saints at the start of the 2010/11 season. He made his Saints debut against the Leicester Tigers on September 5, 2010. He made 11 Aviva Premiership
appearances and another 8 appearances for Saints in the European competition, before injuring his neck.
Northampton Saints Director of Rugby, Jim Mallinder, has praised the Powell services to the club. He said, “Ryan brought plenty of experience and enthusiasm to Franklin's Gardens last summer
and we have enjoyed having him at the club.”
Mallinder expressed his disappointment on the departure of the Powell from the game, due to injury. He termed the incident as unfortunate and expressed his best wishes for the Powell’s future
endeavours.
Panteg born Powell has thanked the Saints management, players and coaching staff for their love, care and support. He added that he enjoyed playing for the Saints in the season and termed
playing in the 2010/11 Heineken Cup final, as one of most memorable moment of his career.
Powell made his Welsh international debut in 2002. He termed playing for Wales as his “major career highlight.”
In his concluding remarks, Powell said, “I'd like to thank everyone who has helped me in my career - there are too many people to pinpoint anyone in particular - but I'd like to thank Jim and
the coaches at Northampton for giving me the opportunity.”
Besides Powell, Saints will be without the services of Daniel Vickerman, Matt Cornwell, Mark Easter, Joe Ford, Shane Geraghty, Dan Sanderson, Bruce Reihana, Joe Ansbro, and Regardt Dreyer.
These players have left the club at the end of 2010/11 season.