Spinal injury forces Evans to retireRSS Feed

A serious spinal injury has forced a leading Scotland rugby international to retire aged 25.

Thom Evans has bowed to doctors' advice and announced that he will retire after suffering a spinal injury during the Six Nations match against Wales earlier this year.

He damaged two vertebrae in a collision with Lee Byrne and was rushed to hospital to undergo emergency surgery to stabilise his spine.

The on-pitch treatment he received from the Scotland team doctors has been credited with preventing the winger from suffering permanent paralysis.

He has since been able to run again, but not at the high speeds he was capable of before the spinal injury.

Former Scotland international Roger Baird told the Scotsman newspaper that it would be devastating for Evans.

"But you also have to get things into perspective - the great thing is that Thom is able to walk," he added.

The spinal injury to Evans is not as severe as that suffered by another Scottish rugby player.

David Millar was paralysed by a spinal cord injury he suffered while playing in New Zealand 20 years ago.

News brought to you by Serious Law specialists in spinal injury

Posted by Matthew Dixon

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