Legendary Bath Rugby hooker Lee Mears forced to retire

Bath Rugby legend Lee Mears has been forced to retire from professional rugby with immediate effect after being diagnosed with a heart condition.

The 33-year-old, who made 268 appearances for Bath since his debut in 1997, was discovered to have a cardiac abnormality during the club's medical screening programme.

Mears has since been informed that there is a significant potential risk of developing further complications if he continues to play and has been advised by a specialist to retire from the sport.

The hooker retired from international rugby last summer having won 42 caps for England but signalled his intentions to continue at domestic level by signing a new contract at The Rec in December.

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"Bath is my club and I love it," said Mears, who was part of the 2009 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa and played in two world cups for England.

"This is not how I saw it ending but I feel enormously proud to have played for such a club so many times.

"This will be a tough period, but the memories I have and the friends I have made over the years will be of huge support.

"Thank-you to the club and to the supporters. I've loved every minute."

Bath head coach Gary Gold said Mears' retirement had come as a shock to the club but that maintaining the players' long-term health was paramount.

"Mearsy is a legend, pure and simple," said Gold.

"His retirement will be felt by all of us at the club, and also by the supporters who have cheered him on over the years.

"The only thing that matters is that he is healthy, and if that means he stops playing, then that's the way it has to be.

"He will be missed, but we will always welcome him back with open arms.

"This is his club, and it always will be. We send him off with real affection and gratitude."

Former Bath team-mate and current Rugby Players' Association director David Barnes added: "I was shocked when I heard from Lee that he would have to retire from professional rugby immediately.

"I know how big a loss this will be to the club and to the fans.

"Mearsy is the type of player you can build a squad around – he has been a central figure in the dressing room for years and has shown outstanding footballing skills during his career as well as a physicality belying his stature.

"Having seen other players forced to retire Lee has been sensible in building other interests outside of rugby, but when your career is cut short so unexpectedly it can take time to come to terms with the situation.

"Everyone at the RPA will be there to support Lee as he makes his transition."

England forwards coach Graham Rowntree added: “Mearsy was one of those players you wanted in your squad, on and off the pitch, and I have some great memories of him with England and the Lions.

"He always gave everything and was the complete professional. I know he will be gutted to have to give up playing but I know he has other interests to pursue, including coaching, and I am sure he will be a great coach.”