Young Bath lock 'forced' to retire
Bath revealed that promising young lock Scott Hobson has been forced to retire from the game through injury.
The 24-year-old sustained a severe shoulder injury during a pre-season friendly against Aix-en-Provence in 2010, and has been unable to play since.
On the advice of medical professionals he has now made the difficult decision to retire from the game. He had made eight first team appearances for Bath, and made a big impression as well as scoring a try.
Since the injury he has been working within the club’s commercial and marketing departments, and will look to remain involved in rugby through coaching and identifying young talent coming through the ranks.
Speaking about the decision, Hobson said: “It has obviously been incredibly difficult for me, especially not knowing whether I would be able to play again during the early months of my rehab. However, having sought the advice of medical professionals I need to take it and so have made the difficult decision to retire.
“I love rugby and want to stay within the sport where I can. I’m looking to move into coaching and have already done some with the Bath University team and the Academy here at Bath, so I’m hoping to continue that, as well as possibly going back to University to study.
“I’d like to thank the Club for all their support over the last two years. The experience of working in both the commercial and marketing departments has given me a great opportunity and I know will have benefited me as I look to start my new career.”
Martin Haag, who coached Scott, added: “It’s obviously very sad and disappointing for Scott that he has had to retire, especially as he had a bright future ahead of him. He is an intelligent young man and one who has a great knowledge of rugby, and I have no doubt he’ll be able to use that as he moves forward with the next stage of his career.”
RPA Rugby Manager and former Bath prop, David Barnes, said: “It is incredibly sad to see a player who had so much potential and was on the verge of getting his big break in the Aviva Premiership, being forced to retire at the age of only 24.
“Scott made such a promising start at Bath after impressing during his time at Penzance and he became a popular member of the squad. He has shown so much determination and commitment during his 20 month rehabilitation from the shoulder injury and has been an inspiration to everyone who knows him by giving absolutely everything to get back on the field. Sadly the injury that Scott sustained has meant he is no longer able to continue his career as a professional rugby player.
“Richard Bryan, our RPA Player Development Manager for Bath has been working closely with Scott to try to make his transition as smooth as possible during what is understandably an upsetting and daunting period of his life. I know Scott is keen to keep involved in the game and to explore potential coaching and other opportunities and we will continue to support him at every opportunity.”
