Connacht have announceed the immediate retirement of Loosehead prop Brett Wilkinson due to a serious neck injury sustained in the last game he played for the club. The 30-year-old South African has been with Connacht since 2006 and has played 183 times for the province.
The former Ireland 'A' prop damaged a ligament in the upper part of his neck during Connacht’s Heineken Cup game away to Saracens in January. Following two medical consultations, he has been directed to cease contact sport with immediate effect. He will wear a neck brace continuously for three months to stabilise the damage and rule out the need for surgery.
Commenting on the news, Brett said: " It has, of course, come as a big shock for me that I have to retire so suddenly. I’m devastated that I won’t play again but the nature of my injury was very serious and I have to appreciate that I have my health. "
Brett continued " It’s strange to find myself in this situation but I’ve had time to get over the initial shock and now I am just really grateful for all the opportunities I’ve had through rugby. I’d like to thank my fiancée Patrice and my family and friends, both here in Ireland and in South Africa, for their constant support. My team mates at Connacht, former and present, are some of the best friends I have and the memories of sharing the highs and lows of professional sport with them is something I’ll have forever.
"Being with Connacht for eight years, I’ve worked under some great coaches and I have to thank Michael Bradley and Eric Elwood for their guidance. I’ve only worked with Pat (Lam) for one season but I’ve learnt a hell of a lot from him in that short time and I have to thank him for that. But I’d like to particularly thank Dan McFarland, who has coached me since my arrival at Connacht and who influenced my game in so many ways.
"The backroom staff have also been fantastic throughout and especially in the last few weeks when I’ve been dealing with the news. I’d like to thank our Team Manager Tim (Allnutt), Physio Gavin (Malouf), the doctors and everyone working behind the scenes at Connacht. The Connacht supporters are some of the best supporters in the world and I’d like to thank them for welcoming me so openly to Galway and Connacht - a place I now call home.
" My whole rugby career has been with this club and I’ve witnessed some massive changes but one thing remains and that is the decent people here. Connacht has been building and building every year and while I’m sad I won’t be a part of it in the same way anymore, I’m excited to follow its progress as a supporter and friend. While I haven’t had a whole lot of time to think about what to do next, I know that I will be in Ireland. I’ve been involved in coaching at club level around the province and it’s something I’ve really enjoyed and would like to explore further. Outside of rugby I have always had a keen interest in business and while playing I was able to complete a diploma in Sales as well as a Certificate in Accounting. I would like to look at a degree in Business Management now and hopefully the skills I’ve picked up through rugby can take me forward into a different sector. I’m excited about what lies ahead. "
Wilkinson joined Connacht in 2006 from the University of Cape Town. Hailing from Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, Brett began playing rugby, from the age of 8. It was his performances for his school which led to him being singled out for a scholarship to the University of Cape Town. His first Connacht cap was in 2006 against Borders at Netherdale in Scotland and Wilkinson went on to earn a reputation at the Sportsground for his powerful scrummaging and excellent ball-carrying skills. The Irish qualified prop featured in 17 of Connacht’s 23 games this season and wore the Connacht jersey a total of 183 times over eight seasons. He represented the Ireland Wolfhounds on five occasions and played for Ireland in an uncapped friendly with the Barbarians before embarking on the senior tour to New Zealand in the summer of 2012.
