Harlequins' Winston Stanley announces retirement

Samoa international Winston Stanley has announced retirement from professional rugby with immediate effect on medical grounds.

Stanley, who was part of the New Zealand Under 20 team that won the IRB Junior World Championship in 2009 was part of Super Rugby sides Blues, Force and Highlanders before he made a switch to the Twickenham Stoop in 2015.

The 29-year-old made his debut for Samoa in 2014 against Italy and has overall featured in three Tests with his last appearance coming in November 2016.

"I was devastated to receive the news and it has been hard to come to terms with," said Stanley.

"I’d like to thank all the staff involved with Quins for their unwavering support. Especially the strength and conditioning and Medical staff for their exhaustive efforts with my rehabilitation.

"I’d like to thank my family and my wife Eva, for their unrelenting support through-out my career.

"It has been an honour to have had the opportunity to play at the top level, and ultimately finish my career at a famous club such as Harlequins. I have many special memories and wish the Club all the very best going forward."

Harlequins Director of Rugby John Kingston paid tributes to Stanley and wished him good luck on his future commitments.

“Winston has been the ultimate consummate professional in his time at Harlequins. It is, therefore, really very upsetting to have to accept the news that injury is forcing his retirement.

“He is a man who has always given his all to the club, forever putting the group ahead of himself as an individual in the list of priorities. He will be much missed as a player but also as a person.

"Winston will always be welcome back at The Stoop in the years to come and, on behalf of everyone at Harlequins, we wish him and his family all the very best going forward.”

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