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Rugby Union

Injured Hanley forced to quit rugby

18/07/2008

Sale Sharks wing Steve Hanley has been forced to retire from rugby union at the age of 29 due to a back injury.

The prolific winger - who won his one and only England cap in 1999, scoring a try against Wales at Wembley during the Six Nations – picked up the problem against Bayonne last season.

And after receiving guidance from the club's medical staff and a specialist, Hanley has been told he must hang up his boots because he will never recover to the necessary fitness to play top-level club rugby again.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Sale Sharks and have some great memories playing for the club," he said.

"Helping the club to its first piece of silverware in 2002, by beating Pontypridd [in the European Challenge Cup final], was very special.

"I have, however, been struggling with a disc problem in my back since the Bayonne game and have received medical advice in that I will not recover enough to be able to play Premiership rugby again.

"Sale Sharks have been good to me and I have always given my best for the team."

In total, Hanley played 191 matches since joining Sale from Aspatria in 1998 with an impressive try total of 104 - 75 of which came in the Guinness Premiership.

And former team-mate and England star Jason Robinson led the tributes to Hanley, saying: "It was a pleasure to play in the same team as Steve, he is a great lad and, as his statistics show, one of the best finishers in the game."