Harlequins hooker Max Crumpton has been forced to retire at the age of 26 because of a hamstring injury.
Crumpton is the second Quins player to announce their retirement this week after fellow hooker Rob Buchanan, 29, did so on Tuesday.
Commenting on his retirement, Crumpton said: “I think every player dreams of having that fairy-tale finish to their playing career. While I haven’t had the opportunity to sign off from my time as a professional rugby player in front of a crowded Stoop, I’m immensely proud of what I achieved in nearly a decade as a professional athlete.
🔥 You always brought the fire.
— Harlequins 🃏 (@Harlequins) June 18, 2020
💪 @MaxCrumpton #COYQ pic.twitter.com/QtdnPrEzP1
“I’d like to thank everyone at Harlequins, from players, support staff and fans for their support and dedication during my time at the Club. I’d also like to thank everyone from each of my former clubs for their influence on my rugby journey. But most of all, I thank my family, who have supported me all the way.
“My career has finished sooner than I would have wanted, but I have plenty of fond memories to look back on, and I’m thankful for the continued support from Quins as I begin my life after rugby. It will be great to come back to The Stoop as a fan when rugby returns.”
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LIST | 5 hilarious Jason Leonard stories
England legend Jason Leonard has told many great stories down the years.
Here are some of our favourites.
1. ‘I didn’t do it’
Just before we headed out to the 1995 World Cup in South Africa, all the players agreed on a booze ban when coach Jack Rowell discovered that someone had come in at 2am. He accused me at training the next day and I flatly denied it. As I told Martin Bayfield standing next to me: “It couldn’t have been me Bayf – I didn’t get in until 4am.” Poor Bayf just burst out laughing.