ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

#TBT - Tom Croft retires but this 2007 try will be remembered forever

BY Grant Constable  ·  Thursday Nov 16, 2017

Leicester Tigers, England and British and Irish Lions forward Tom Croft has today confirmed his retirement from professional rugby with immediate effect. He has been forced to retire on medical grounds, after persistent concerns with a neck injury.

“I’ve played professional rugby at Leicester for 12 years and in that time I’ve enjoyed every second of it,” Croft, 31, said. “I’ve played alongside and against some incredible players and made many lifelong friends in the game.

“Unfortunately I have also suffered some reasonably significant injuries and now, after seeking advice on a neck injury, I have to announce my retirement as a player.

“Leaving the game has been a massive decision for me, it is all I’ve known since leaving school, but with the issues I’ve had fitness-wise over the last few years and with my wife and two young kids at home it’s the right time to hang the boots up and move on to the next chapter.”

A Tigers academy graduate, Croft made his senior debut a week after his 20th birthday in 2005, going on to play in four Premiership title-winning teams and in the 2009 European Cup Final during 173 first-team appearances. He also scored 27 tries in a Tigers shirt.

He gained the first of 40 caps for England in 2008 and played in five Tests during two tours with the Lions, memorably scoring two tries on his Test debut for them in South Africa in 2009.

In 2012, Croft suffered a serious neck injury in a league game at Harlequins but returned to action with club and country after an eight-month recovery period.


Croft’s brilliant try for Leicester in 2013

After another neck injury this season and, after consulting a specialist, he has been advised to retire from the professional game.

“There are so many big games to look back on,” said Croft. “But making my debut for Tigers against Gloucester in 2005, gaining my first England cap and wearing the Lions shirt on two tours are up there with my best memories of the game.

“I’ve had great support from so many people and there are so many mates I’ve grown up with in the game, guys like Matt Smith who I first met at school, Dan Cole, Tom and Ben Youngs, guys who I came through the Tigers academy with at a similar time and are still the core of the club today.”

Below is a look at a classic try that Croft scored ten years ago, when the England Saxons beat New Zealand Maori to win the Churchill cup Final at Twickenham.

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 33 WEEKS AGO

    Five of the best tries from the Investec...

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    The dummy that sold the whole of Perth -...

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    Bayonne score 'one of the best tries you'll...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 19 HOURS AGO

    Wallabies wunderkind Sua'ali' and Scotland captain Tuipulotu clash

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Ireland 'steal' Argentina's opening try as debate rages

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

View All

Funnies

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

View All

Amateur

  • 98 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 98 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 121 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 121 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 121 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    'Eligible for England' - Fans react to South African star's contract announcement

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    The 19-year-old named the 'future' of English rugby after win against Australia A

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Anthony Watson exclusive: 'I wouldn't be surprised if England win'

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    It’s a 9.5/10 for Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

View All