IF MIKE ROSS managed to avert his eyes when the writing was on the wall on November, the reality soon sunk a cruel bite to grab his attention.
Having been a mainstay of all bar one Test matches during Joe Schmidt’s era with Ireland, the Corkman was suddenly left out. Not just out of the starting XV or matchday 23. The whole squad.
As he rehabbed the hamstring injury sustained in that match, Ross turned 37 and found no new contract offer coming from his adopted province.
Time to count the blessings and get out before the surgeon caught up with him.
There wasn’t an option for another year in Leinster. I didn’t really want to go abroad, because I’m fairly settled in Dublin, two young kids, I started looking around and this opportunity came up.
He later added: “I’m lucky I never had an operation in my career… my knees are creaking a bit now because Stuart Lancaster is running the arses off us in training.
“Only (injury) I’ve to show from rugby is a bulging disc in my neck.”
Like most sportsmen, Ross admits he will miss the ‘ruthless’ environment of a team dressing room, but is pleased to have made the most of his time in the “bubble” of professional rugby.
Perhaps one day he’ll be back in something resembling the environment having already effectively coached many young props through the rigours of top class scrummaging. But he will make a clean break from rugby after Leinster’s season finishes next month, taking up a job with data protection specialists Wizuda.
Out with the old... Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
“Mixed emotions. It’s sad to call time on something I’ve played for so many years, but at the same time there’s an exciting opportunity in front of me and ii’m looking forward to grabbing it with both hands.”
Mike Ross counting the blessings as he prepares for clean break from rugby
IF MIKE ROSS managed to avert his eyes when the writing was on the wall on November, the reality soon sunk a cruel bite to grab his attention.
Having been a mainstay of all bar one Test matches during Joe Schmidt’s era with Ireland, the Corkman was suddenly left out. Not just out of the starting XV or matchday 23. The whole squad.
“While Ireland were beating the All Blacks I was togging out against Zebre,” the tighthead said in an absorbing interview with Newstalk last night (listen back to the full thing here).
As he rehabbed the hamstring injury sustained in that match, Ross turned 37 and found no new contract offer coming from his adopted province.
Time to count the blessings and get out before the surgeon caught up with him.
He later added: “I’m lucky I never had an operation in my career… my knees are creaking a bit now because Stuart Lancaster is running the arses off us in training.
“Only (injury) I’ve to show from rugby is a bulging disc in my neck.”
Like most sportsmen, Ross admits he will miss the ‘ruthless’ environment of a team dressing room, but is pleased to have made the most of his time in the “bubble” of professional rugby.
Perhaps one day he’ll be back in something resembling the environment having already effectively coached many young props through the rigours of top class scrummaging. But he will make a clean break from rugby after Leinster’s season finishes next month, taking up a job with data protection specialists Wizuda.
“Mixed emotions. It’s sad to call time on something I’ve played for so many years, but at the same time there’s an exciting opportunity in front of me and ii’m looking forward to grabbing it with both hands.”
‘We don’t need a trophy to show progress, we want one because we’re desperate for success’
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Career Change Ireland Legend Leinster Mike Ross the old bear W wizuda