Hart hangs up his boots
London Wasps back-row John Hart has been forced to retire from all rugby following injury.
Hart with the Premiership title in 2008
The long serving Hart, who has made 165 appearances for Wasps since his senior debut in 2003, has been advised that he must stop playing immediately due to a shoulder injury.
Hart, 30, who has captained Wasps on 38 occasions, graduated from the Wasps Academy making his full senior debut in November 2002.
In his time at the Club he played in two winning Premiership Finals as well as playing a key role in the squads which won two Heineken Cup titles.
His representative honours include England at U21 level and playing in the 2003 IRB Junior World Cup.
Hart said: “I’m really disappointed to bow out this way but the decision was taken out of my hands unfortunately. I had hoped I would be able to carry on to the end of the season but after the game against Northampton it was clear that I wouldn’t be able to. I’ve had great support from the Club in this matter and I want to thank everyone for that through a difficult time. London Wasps has been my only Club and I have been honoured to be part of the side of over a decade. I will look back on my time with the Club with great pride and always know how privileged I was to win Premiership and Heineken Cup titles. I want to thank my family for all their support over the years and of course everyone at the Club and all of the supporters for everything.”
Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young said: “Harty has been a lynchpin in the Wasps side for a number of years and I have been hugely impressed with him in my short time with the Club. His leadership and passion for Wasps was the reason I named him my captain at the start of the season and it’s sad to see him have to retire before the season is out. We wish him all the best in the next stage of his life.”
RPA CEO, Damian Hopley, said: “It is hugely disappointing to lose another leader from the game through injury. John Hart is a highly respected member of the dressing room who epitomises the club ethos having graduated from Wasps' Academy. John will be sorely missed by Wasps' fans after showing tremendous commitment and loyalty to the club for over a decade. Very few players can claim two Premiership and two Heineken Cup medals and John deserves to look back with immense pride on everything he has achieved with London Wasps.
“As with all of our RPA members, we will continue to support John during the next exciting stage of his life and would like to wish him and his family the very best of luck for the future.”
