Rugby Waved Goodbye To Two Fantasitc Servants Today

Eoin Reddan and Andrea Masi both announced their retirement from the game today.

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has described Reddan’s retirement as a ‘big loss’ to Irish rugby, while Masi retires as the only Italian to have ever been named Six Nations Player of the Championship (2011).

Reddan has enjoyed a glittering career. He won two Heineken Cups with Leinster, along with a Challenge Cup and two Pro12 titles. He also won a Heineken Cup with Wasps, along with a Premiership title.

In a ten-year career for Ireland, Reddan appeared in three World Cups and was part of the the Six Nations title-winning squads in 2014 and 2015.

Speaking of his decision to retire and enter the aviation finance sector, Reddan said:

“I have been privileged to be part of so many successful teams over the course of my career.

“To win European and domestic honours with both Wasps and Leinster has been fantastic, and to taste Six Nations success with Ireland over the past three seasons has been incredible.
 
“I am grateful for the opportunities and experiences that professional rugby has provided over the course of my career but feel that now is the right time to commit to the next chapter of my life and take on a new challenge.

“I have a fantastic opportunity in a dynamic industry that will bring a new set of challenges and opportunities for myself and my family. I am grateful to Leinster and the IRFU for supporting my decision to take up this opportunity.”

Italian international Andrea Masi has called time on his illustrious career due to a long-standing Achilles injury sustained at the Rugby World Cup.

After seeking medical advice, the 35-year-old versatile back has been forced to hang up his boots, leaving him with 95 caps for Italy.

“Rugby has been at the core of my life for the past 20 years, and it’s not easy to close such an important chapter of my life,” Masi told Wasps’ official website.

“But I’m conscious that I need to follow expert medical advice and that this is the only possible way.

“Despite the recovery process progressing positively in the early stages, it didn’t heal as hoped and it became clear I wouldn’t be able to continue playing professional rugby. I’m satisfied that I made every possible effort to come back from the injury, but sadly it wasn’t to be.

“I’d like to thank Dai Young and all at Wasps for bringing me into their family four years ago, for believing in me and for staying by my side over the last, hard, 10 months: their loyalty and support is something I will never forget.

“I’d also like to wish, from the bottom of my heart, my thanks to the Italian team and to the head coaches who trusted in me over the years, giving me the privilege of representing my country in the Six Nations and in four Rugby World Cups. It was an unbelievable journey, an extraordinary honour.”