WARRIORS winger Sam Smith has been forced to call time on his playing career following a succession of tears to his quadriceps muscle.
The 26-year-old, who joined the Sixways outfit in 2014, hasn’t featured for the club since the Greene King IPA Championship play-offs last year due to injury and has since only played competitive rugby in a short loan spell with London Scottish last season.
The Epsom-born player, who represented England at under 16, 18 and 20 levels, racked up 15 tries in 19 appearances during Warriors’ 2014/15 promotion-winning campaign.
The former Harlequins winger has been doing plenty of work off the field whilst out of action though and is opening a coffee shop, named Wayland’s Yard, next to Foregate Street train station this September.
“I’m obviously devastated to be moving on from rugby. Its been a game that has given me so many amazing memories, opportunities and lifelong friends,” said Smith.
“I’ve tried everything I can to get back to full fitness but it’s become clear that now is the time for me to focus on my new path in life. I look forward to being able to share coffee with as many people in Worcester as possible.
“I love Worcester and despite only living here for two years it’s where I now call home and I’m excited to be setting up my dream in the heart of the city.
“I’d like to thank the Warriors staff, fans, my teammates, family and girlfriend for their support through what has been a pretty difficult period.
“I’ll still be getting up to Sixways to watch the boys push on over the coming seasons and I have no doubt the club will go on to achieve great success,” he added.
Nick Johnston, Warriors’ high performance director said his backroom team had helped Smith prepare for life after rugby.
“Our staff have worked hard to try and get Sam back to full fitness, but, unfortunately it hasn’t worked out for him and he’s decided to focus on a different pathway in life. Sometimes that’s the way it works out,” said Johnston.
“But in another aspect it shows how our education programme can prepare players for life after rugby.
“Sam’s journey is another case of our succession planning working to good effect and despite his misfortune with injury, he can look forward to a fresh challenge of a successful career in business, with the full support of the club,” he added.