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Seattle Seawolves star Ross Neal has announced his retirement from rugby with immediate effect. The 26-year-old says the decision was prompted by persistent symptoms resulting from concussion.
Neal made the move from the English Premiership to Major League Rugby ahead of the 2020 season. He played just once during that shortened campaign due to a broken hand, but would go on to play 29 times for the Seawolves in three seasons with 14 tries scored.
Standing 6’5″ (1.96m) and weighing upwards of 240lbs (108kg), Neal was an imposing figure in the backline who was equally comfortable at center or on the wing. When playing out wide he was often a target of cross-kicks from the likes of Ben Cima and AJ Alatimu.
Part of a statement released on social media reads:
“It’s been an incredible hard decision and I’m truly gutted to have to stop playing at this point in my career. I had been struggling with concussion symptoms and I felt I’d been trying to downplay them as I knew what accepting them would mean.
“This took a bit of a toll on me mentally, and on the pitch. After giving it real thought once the season had ended, I decided it would be the best for me to hang up my boots.”
Before joining Seattle, Neal spent time with London Irish, London Scottish, and Wasps. He also turned out for the Ohio Aviators during the 2020 World Tens Series event in Bermuda, a tournament that featured numerous MLR and World Sevens Series stars.
