Jordan Turner-Hall - another England centre retires early

England have lacked a decent midfield for a decade or so. While selection blunders contributed to that state of affairs, injury played a big part too, and it's interesting to see how many of our nearly men have had to retire earlier than they might have hoped.

I'm not claiming the following would have been world beaters but the list shows we've had a fair amount of wear and tear in that position over the years.

Dan Hipkiss

Bath and former England centre Dan Hipkiss has been forced to call time on his playing career because of a shoulder injury.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-union/22626744

Anthony Allen

Leicester Tigers centre Anthony Allen has been forced to retire at the age of 28 because of a knee injury.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-union/33252488

Jordan Turner-Hall

Harlequins and England centre Jordan Turner-Hall has been forced to retire from rugby at the age of 27 due to injury

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_64730,00.html

Shontayne Hape

Former England centre Shontayne Hape has announced his retirement from the game after sustaining repeated concussions

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-2645185/Shontayne-Hape-retires-concussions-bring-depression.html

Stuart Abbott

England and Harlequins centre Stuart Abbott has announced his retirement from competitive rugby at the age of 29 because of a serious shoulder injury.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/my_club/harlequins/7060002.stm

Ollie Smith

By his own admission, Smith should still be playing the game at the age of 31. But a horrific knee injury put paid to that playing for Harlequins against Saracens in December 2010.

http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Leicester-Tigers-star-Ollie-Smith-role-London/story-21186215-detail/story.html

James Simpson-Daniel

James Simpson-Daniel has retired on medical advice at the age of 32 after dislocating his left ankle last November.

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/sep/02/gloucester-james-simpson-daniel-retire-ankle-injury

Even players still in the professional game in one capacity or another saw their chances blighted by injury at key moments - Riki Flutey, Mathew Tait and Olly Barkley come to mind.

Centre seems to be a problem position, particularly IC. There may be an overplaying issue as well. Good centres are in short supply, and it's a position that bears the brunt of a lot of impacts.

The question is whether the new crop of EQP centres - who seem much more skilled - can be kept fit. Between Slade, Hill, Sloan, Tompkins, Marchant, Joseph , Daly and Manu there's no shortage of ability.

Please do not forget Tom Stephenson in your rush to include quins P4 .

The thing is I don't think this is anything new, many players used to retire in their mid to late 20's before the game went pro.

I stopped playing (very low level) at 26 because I was always injured.

LondonTiger wrote:Please do not forget Tom Stephenson in your rush to include quins P4 .

I'd have included him if I knew about him, LT. But I'm afraid I don't.

Ah, OK. I assumed you had forgotten him rather than not knowing a man who has two JWC winners medals, an AP winners medal and was Northampton's best centre this season.

The real story is beware playing centre for Quins if you get an England call up...

yappysnap wrote:The real story is beware playing centre for Quins if you get an England call up...

Sadly, all too true. It seems we broke the mould with Will Greenwood, and it's broken everyone who's been near it since.

On a related note, a growing number of Australian supporters seem to have concluded that you need a big man playing inside centre at Test level these days.

I don't think they liked the look of the Cooper-Giteau axis

Do you not think this is as a result of the 'crash ball' centres that have become prevalent in international rugby over the last few years - Roberts, Basteraud, Umaga, our own Manu, etc? Playing centre is probably the toughest place to tackle in the game as you get big men running at you at pace and not just head on, but at angles. Okay your 6 and 7 may get through a fair few tackles, but they are largely head on tackles of medium speed forwards, or sideways on tackles of faster backs.

It could just be a coincidence, but I think the days of a centre having a 10/15 year professional career ala BOD are now long gone.

LondonTiger wrote:Ah, OK. I assumed you had forgotten him rather than not knowing a man who has two JWC winners medals, an AP winners medal and was Northampton's best centre this season.

Yeah young Stephenson is a genuine one to watch.

Him and Hill should be fighting for that 12 spot soon I would think. Then if Slade is in the picture as well?

Olly Barkley suffered because he was lacking that few inches up top....and was a thoroughbred Charva.

Devoto will be up there challenging for the 12 shirt as well.

Ah yes I forgot about him.

Do you think Eastmonds chances will be gone post WC.

Think those NZ games did for him. I don't consider him a strong option, probably 4th in line now.

nlpnlp wrote:Do you not think this is as a result of the 'crash ball' centres that have become prevalent in international rugby over the last few years - Roberts, Basteraud, Umaga, our own Manu, etc?

That's also one reason some Australians are turning against the idea of a lighter man at 12. It's noticeable that Lancaster has never seemed inclined to look at Ford and Eastmond.

Hasn't it always been a bigger heavier / lighter skilled combo in rugby though.

Just the difference is more noticeable now as the bigger guys are MASSIVE!

Off the top of my head...
Carling / Guscott
Bunce / Little
Horan / Little
Scott Hastings / Sean Lineen

Some other recent injury retirements from English centres

http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/Bath-Rugby-centre-Ben-Williams-forced-retire/story-27448198-detail/story.html

http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/rugby-union/london-wasps/news/wasps-centre-bell-announces-retirement_225909.html

http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Injury-forces-England-Sevens-rugby-star-Rob/story-26375964-detail/story.html

JTH never really kicked on. It's still a shame to see anyone have to retire that early though.

Post-WC I expect Slade will be the main in possession, and will be challenged by Devoto and possibly Stephenson (a player who seems to be genuinely able to play 12 and 13). Hill I a contender too, but needs to add a little to his game from what I've seen.

I think Lancaster will need to check out that area very closely post world cup. Its been an alarming position for sometime.

10 - Ford, Farrell, Slade, Cips - Sorted
13 - Manu, Joseph - Sorted
12 - Far from Sorted

GeordieFalcon wrote:I think Lancaster will need to check out that area very closely post world cup. Its been an alarming position for sometime.

10 - Ford, Farrell, Slade, Cips - Sorted
13 - Manu, Joseph - Sorted
12 - Far from Sorted

But at least he's got options, and options without the obvious short-comings of Twelvetrees, Eastmond, Barritt and Burgess.

To be honest I'd be amazed if Slade wasn't given the shirt. He's an amazing talent and good at every aspect a 12 needs to be good at. I wouldn't even rule out him being 12 in the WC. I bet Catt and Farrell look at what he offers and find him a tempting option. Ford, Slade, Joseph must be the most talented English 10, 12, 13 of the professional era.