Leicester hooker Jimmy Stevens announces retirement

Leicester Tigers hooker Jimmy Stevens has confirmed his retirement from professional rugby with immediate effect following a concussion injury.

The 29-year-old sustained the blow during the 2018/19 season and has not made sufficient recovery since then.

A product of Tigers Academy, Stevens made his senior debut with Leicester in 2011 and featured for London Irish and Nottingham before returning to Welford Road for a second stint in 2018 and had made 11 appearances for them since then.

“I’m gutted to be retiring, but I have to take the recommended advice from the health professionals,” he said. “I’ll miss enjoying a good win with my mates and socialising with them after," he told the official website of the club.

“All I knew from a fairly young age is that I wanted to play rugby, whether that was playing for St. Ives with my brothers or being lucky enough to play the game professionally.”

Leicester Tigers head coach Geordan Murphy expressed disappointment on the news on Stevens.

“You never want to see a player have the decision to retire made for them and I speak for everybody at Leicester Tigers when I say it’s disappointing to see Jimmy call time on his career,” said Murphy.

“Jimmy is Tigers through-and-through and when he returned to the club two years ago, we were excited to have not only the player but also the person back in Leicester.

“From his early days in the Tigers Academy, while away at Irish and Nottingham and since coming back, Jimmy has always given everything on and off the pitch and represents the kind of player and person we believe are important in Leicester."