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Former team-mates have nothing but utmost respect for David Denton following his retirement
Team-mates of former Scotland No8 David Denton have reacted to his retirement on social media after he was forced to end his career at the age of 29 due to concussion.
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The Leicester Tigers loose forward missed much of last season after suffering an injury to his head in October, which subsequently ruled him out of the World Cup as well. But he was expected to make a return to action in the new Premiership season.
After the announcement was made, a number of his team-mates for both club and country praised his career, particularly his ball-carrying ability.
Jim Hamilton, who played alongside Denton with Scotland, said it was “a pleasure to watch you carry”, while Rory Lawson described him as a “wrecking ball”.
Denton announced himself on the international stage in 2012 as a 21-year-old with a man of the match performance against England at Murrayfield. His bruising display in that game was a precursor for what was to come for the rest of his career.
A shit way to go out @dentweezy
There is more to life than Rugby.
Was a pleasure watching you carry big fella.Ps. I think we lost this game. pic.twitter.com/BV9hqSR06e
— Jim Hamilton (Vice Captain) (@jimhamilton4) September 16, 2019
Sad to hear that big Dave Denton @dentweezy is having to retire. Muckle lump that wasn’t too shy in chucking his body around. Congrats on your career mate. Best of luck for the next chapter. #DebraTheDentist
— Stuart W Hogg (@StuartWHOGG_) September 16, 2019
Absolutely gutted for @dentweezy ! My hair’spiration 🙌 congrats on an amazing career, plenty of time to improve your swing now 🏌️♂️ no amount of filters can save us in this photo 🙈 https://t.co/DlgfwVwIAr
— Guy Thompson (@GuyThompson87) September 16, 2019
https://twitter.com/rorylawson9/status/1173557494406365184?s=20
Sad to see @dentweezy having to hang up the boots. However, health comes first and I’m sure his lovely wife will welcome him being around little Logan a bit more. Can’t wait to have a partner in crime around Edinburgh enjoying life after rugby! pic.twitter.com/1VHOIuC3qx
— Tim Visser (@timbovisser) September 16, 2019
https://www.instagram.com/p/B2eA2ytniUI/?utm_source=ig_web_options_share_sheet
https://www.instagram.com/p/B2d9WhXjDXn/?utm_source=ig_web_options_share_sheet
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He went on to earn 42 caps for Scotland and in the process played for Edinburgh, Bath, Worcester Warriors and Leicester Tigers, but he had a career that was equally hampered by injury.
During two seasons at Bath, he played barely any rugby and his fortunes did not change when he moved to Sixways the season after. He would have hoped that his move to Leicester would have allowed him to string more games together, but his time there was the shortest of the lot.
His retirement has yet again brought the topic of concussion and player welfare back into the spotlight, as it is a priority of World Rugby’s to make the game safer.
Denton is not the first player to retire from a head injury, and he has spoken in the past of the problems that he has faced. It is, therefore, no surprise that World Rugby have sought to reduce head injuries.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Quite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
10 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
2 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
10 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
10 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
3 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
3 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
10 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
10 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
10 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
10 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
10 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
10 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to comments