Dragons' Adam Hughes retires on medical ground

Dragons centre Adam Hughes has announced retirement from professional rugby with immediate effect following a brain injury.

The decision follows after he took advice from a specialist, who recommended him to end his playing career. The 28-year-old suffered a concussion during the pre-season in 2016 which he initially thought was a career-ending injury.

After spending close to five months of rehabilitation, he returned to action in January last year only to be sidelined again in September.

"A neurologist said that playing rugby wasn't an option due to two major trauma scars that I had sustained on my brain," said Hughes.

"The decision was made there and then."

The 28-year-old started his professional rugby debut in 2010 with Dragons and switched to English clubs Bristol and Exeter Chiefs in 2014 and 2015 before returning back to the Welsh regional side again in 2015 for a second stint.

Dragons are currently positioned sixth in Conference B of Pro 14 Championship with just two wins from 20 games.