Gutted ex-Leeds Rhinos star Stevie Ward forced to retire at 27

The decision was not unexpected; the talented back-row, who won two Grand Finals and two Challenge Cups with hometown Leeds, had not played since being concussed against Hull FC on February 2, the opening day of last season.

It was his second concussion in as many weeks and, despite seeing specialists, was not able to return to play.

Ward, who was on the verge of England honours, saw his contract with Leeds expire at the end of the season and he was not offered a new deal.

He has now decided to retire and, in a statement, explained the magnitude of his issues while urging the sport to do more to protect players in the future.

“I struggle with migraines, dizziness, motion sickness, sensitivity to light and screens, short-term memory issues, slurred speech, and an inability to exercise or do daily tasks without irritating my symptoms," said Ward, who was just 18 when he started the 2012 Challenge Cup final at Wembley.

"I love the game of rugby league. I am immensely proud to have competed on some of the biggest stages next to childhood heroes and test myself to the absolute limit while feeling the incredible buzz from the Leeds fans after being one myself as a youngster.

"I thank every player that I have played with and against, and I am especially grateful for the incredible friendships the sport has given me."

Ward is the second player in recent years to quit the sport due to persistent issues with brain injuries, following on from Hull KR’s Australian centre Andrew Heffernan who was just 23 when he retired in August 2018.

A number of rugby union players suffering from early onset dementia and other brain injuries have already launched a legal case against various governing bodies, including the RFU.

Some struggling rugby league players are expected to follow suit and, though Ward is not thought to be one of them, he does hope more is done in terms of researching the effects the physical attributes of the sport can have on the brain.

Having seen former Rhinos team-mate Rob Burrow struck down by motor neurone disease, the need to do so is all the more urgent.

"On the same day I was told about Rob (Burrow's MND diagnosis) I was made club captain, and I was immensely motivated to do 2020 for Rob and get the Rhinos back to lifting trophies for him,” added Ward, with Leeds lifting the Challenge Cup in October.

"I am proud the boys were able to do this, but I feel my purpose for that year took an unexpected direction.

“It was no longer about lifting trophies for Rob. It is now about having a glimpse into the scary world of neurological impairment and being another voice to help bring about the changes needed.

"With the news about Rob and the current climate of rugby union players, I cannot help but ask the questions that need to be asked.

"I am left motivated to help get our sport to a place where it can ensure the players' long-term safety whilst keeping the beauty and grit of the game."

Ward added: "Of course, more research is needed.

"However, I believe that there is an element of laziness with just making this statement. It is now time to be asking and answering more specific questions.

"What will this research be? How will it be funded? How long will this new research take? And how do we focus our efforts in the meantime?

"The biggest question is what can be done to make things safer for our players now. We need to be more proactive and not rely on another generation of players to be guinea pigs for future research that will take years to give us the answers we need now."

Ward - who had signed a deal with Toronto Wolfpack for 2021 before they hit financial issues in July - will now seek to make a full recovery while also working on Mantality, his online magazine which aids to help people suffering with mental health issues.

Ward, who has suffered from depression, added: “I have been able to test myself in one of the most competitive and brutal games there is.

"And I have been able to use my platform to raise awareness on the importance of mental health within a macho sport, which historically stigmatised any such talk."

Ward scored 23 tries in 136 Rhinos appearances and would have played far more games if not for other serious injuries in his career, such as a ruptured ACL in his knee and a persistent shoulder issue.

Leeds head coach Richard Agar said: “ “It is always disappointing when any player is forced to retire from the game prematurely due to injury but especially so when it is someone with so much talent and potential as Stevie Ward.

“I know that our medical team have worked tirelessly with Stevie this year to try and find a positive outcome.

“However, unfortunately, Stevie has now taken the difficult decision to begin the next stage of his journey after rugby.

“On a personal level, when I became Head Coach back in 2018, Stevie was one of the senior players who was a catalyst for change and getting the club back to our core values.

“Having made Stevie our captain a year ago, personally it is sad to see his career end this way but I am sure he will continue his work with Mantality and bring the same level of professionalism and expertise to his future work that he has shown on the field throughout his career.”