Wasps No.8, Dan Ward-Smith has been forced into retirement with immediate effect after receiving medical advice regarding a back injury.

The back-rower appeared 49 times for London Wasps in 2 seasons playing for the club. He also spent some of his rugby years playing for Plymouth Albion.

London Wasps' Chief Executive, Chris Thomas, paid tribute to Ward-Smith.

"Everyone at the club is desperately disappointed for Dan, who has been a superb professional and a great guy to have around."


Pat Sanderson, and now Dan Ward-Smith, 2 of the Premier Leagues most consistent players have both been forced to retire already this season following injuries. 

Pat Sanderson has been forced to retire following a shoulder injury. Sanderson was probably nearing the end of his career anyway at the age of 33, but he is nearly 34 now.

His career ending injury was suffered five months ago, in March when Worcester took on Bristol in one of the Championship play-offs.

Sanderson has had a very succesful career appearing in a Worcester shirt more than one hundred times and captaining England with an international career spanning from 1998 through to 2007.