Ulster Rugby star forced to retire

Ulster rugby player and Queen’s student David Pollock has been forced to retire this week due to a long standing hip injury.

After signing a development contract with Ulster in 2006, there were great hopes for the former Royal School Dungannon pupil, and over his 45 appearances for the province his performances lead Ulster’s operations director David Humphreys to describe him as a future Ulster captain. However over the last 18 months a persistent hip problem has plagued his career resulting in his retirement at the age of 23.

Pollock also received five caps for the Ireland 'A' team as well as captaining both Ireland U-19s and U-21s in their World Championships in 2006, before leading Ireland U-20s to an unprecedented Six Nations Grand Slam success in 2007.

In a statement Pollock said “It is with great sadness that I announce my early retirement from rugby. 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 proudest moments of my rugby career. Rugby with Ulster has afforded me the privilege to play with and against many great players; whilst doing so I have forged friendships and acquired memories that I will treasure for a long time to come”.

David Humphreys also added that “David’s injury problems in recent years has meant 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.” 

Pollock now intends to return to Queen’s to continue to work towards his medical degree which he was two years into when offered a contract by Ulster.