Fullback forced to retire after try-saving tackle, aged 22

 infection.

The former Wales Under-20s ace suffered left sided peripheral nerve damage as he made a try-saving tackle in February 2018.

Williams has undertaken extensive rehabilitation at Cardiff Blues with regular expert assessments, however the 22-year-old has now been advised that this is a career ending injury at this time.

He said: “I’m obviously really disappointed to be given the news that I will be unable to return to rugby. I have done everything I can to get back but unfortunately that’s the specialist’s advice at this time.

“I’m very grateful for all the support I have had from everyone at Cardiff Blues during the last two years, but particularly the physios and medical department, Phil Davies from the WRPA and my teammates who have been superb.”

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 28-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.

Horne’s retirement was “absolutely tragic news”, Northampton interim head coach Alan Dickens said.

The 28-year-old revealed earlier this year that he has full paralysis of his right arm and is in chronic pain after detaching nerves from his spinal cord. The father of two was playing for his English club Northampton against Leicester when the injury occurred.

A hard-running outside centre capped 34 times for Australia, Horne was leading try-scorer for the Saints with eight this season and led the team as stand-in captain for the first time against the Tigers.

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.

Matthew "Hambo" Hampson is a former= prop who became a C4/5 tetraplegic after a scrummaging practice accident for England under 21 on 15 March 2005.

He was regarded as a promising prop and although he had not made his Leicester debut he had been an unused bench replacement. He had played both for Bedford Blues and Nuneaton R.F.C. while on loan. He had also played for England U18 and England U21.

Hampson's accident happened on Tuesday 15 March 2005 at Franklin's Gardens, when the England U21 team were preparing for an under 21 Six Nations match against Scotland. In what he described as a freak accident, a scrum collapsed and dislocated his neck, severing his spinal cord. Referee and former paramedic Tony Spreadbury was praised for his quick reaction to stabilise Hampson's neck, saving him even further damage that could have resulted in his death.

Hampson was taken first to Northampton General Hospital and then to the specialist spine unit at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, where he had an operation to relocate his spine. He spent 18 months in Stoke Mandeville, where he contracted a life-threatening Clostridium difficile

Hampson requires the permanent use of a ventilator to breathe.

In 2011 the Matt Hampson trust gained full charity status and became the Matt Hampson Foundation. Matt works with the foundation to provide advice, support and relief for anyone suffering serious injury or disability which has arisen from any cause, but in particular from participation in or training for any sport, sporting activity or other form of physical education or recreation.

Matt regularly visits beneficiaries, schools and societies where he gives advice and motivational talks taken from his own experiences.

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.