5 of the Worst Career Ending Injuries in Rugby

Rugby, by virtue of being a contact sport, has seen its fair share of horrific injuries

Most players are able to come back from their dark days and forge a successful career. But there are some players who weren’t quite so lucky.

Spare a thought for the five players listed below. These players suffered injuries that derailed and destroyed their career, ensuring a premature end to their rugby playing days.

The 30-year-old, who suffered several serious arm injuries at elite level, was forced to retire after sustaining nerve damage in his right arm when playing for Northampton Saints against Leicester Tigers in the English Premiership in early 2018.

A hard-running outside centre capped 34 times for Australia, Horne was leading try-scorer for the Saints with eight.

Before crossing to the Saints, Horne enjoyed a successful 10-year stint with Sydney’s New South Wales Waratahs and was a member of the 2014 team that captured a maiden Super Rugby title under the guidance of Michael Cheika, the current Wallabies boss.

Horne represented Australia at the 2011 and 2015 World Cups, and played against the British and Irish Lions in 2013.

The Cardiff Blues fullback was forced to retire aged 22 in 2020 after failing to recover from the neck injury he sustained against Zebre two years previous.

The former Wales Under-20s ace suffered left sided peripheral nerve damage as he made a try-saving tackle.

The Wasps flanker retired on medical advice in March 2017 after failing to recover fully from an injury sustained at an England training camp.

Jones fractured his fibula and suffered significant damage to his ankle while grappling with British and Irish Lion Maro Itoje during a judo session in October 2016.

The 26-year-old didn't play a first-team match since before being advised to quit.

Jones played 118 times for Wasps after coming through the club's academy, making his senior debut in November 2010.

He sustained the injury while preparing for the autumn internationals - where he was tipped to make his England debut - and was only expected to be out for five months before complications

Ansbro broke his neck in a pre-season friendly against Munster on 24 August 2012.

After being taken to hospital straight after the match it was discovered that Ansbro had a triple fracture of the C1 vertebrae. As of 15 May 2013 Ansbro, aged 27, officially retired from rugby union.

Ansbro, having graduated from Cambridge before his professional career, became a Biology teacher and rugby coach at Harrow School.

Wales and Scarlets back Morgan Stoddart has retired with immediate effect after failing to recover from a broken leg.

The 28-year-old was six games into his Scarlets comeback after 14 months out with a double leg fracture.

But he has experienced "significant pain" since his return and has followed medical advice to stop playing.