Rugby:Ulster backrow David Pollock has been forced into early retirement due to a hip injury which has plagued the Queen's University medical student for the past 18 months.
The Omagh native and former academy player won a full contract in 2007 after a successful stint captaining Ireland U19s and U21s in their respective IRB World Championship in 2006 before leading Ireland U20s to an unprecedented Grand Slam and Six Nations double in 2007.
Pollock (23) won five Ireland ‘A’ caps and made his Ulster debut as a replacement against the Ospreys in 2007 and won 45 provincial caps in his short career.
“It is with great sadness that I announce my early retirement from rugby,” said Pollock. “Whilst it was always my intention to resume my studies at Queens, I never intended it to be quite so soon. My hip injury, however, has not resolved and I have been advised I am no longer able to achieve the level of fitness required to play professional rugby.”
“I count myself very fortunate to have represented Ulster at every level from schoolboy to senior team and leading out Ulster in the Heineken Cup against Stade Francais in Paris was one of the most proudest moments of my rugby career.”
David Humphreys, Ulster Rugby operations director, added: “Ear-marked from an early age as a future Ulster captain, David’s injury problems in recent years means that we only saw glimpses of his talent in the Ulster shirt.”
“His retirement is a huge loss for Ulster Rugby but fortunately for David, he has a long-term future mapped out in the medical profession and a new challenge awaits him away from rugby.”