Tom Woolstencroft: Saracens hooker retires aged 29 on medical advice after concussion issues

Tom Woolstencroft (right) has won three league titles with Saracens - two in the Premiership and one in the Championship

Saracens hooker Tom Woolstencroft has been forced to retire from rugby on medical advice at the age of 29.

Woolstencroft has played 85 times for Sarries since joining from London Irish in 2018, winning the Premiership twice along with the Champions Cup.

But he has made just three appearances this term, in the Premiership Cup, and has suffered concussion-related issues.

"I'm proud of my career and my contributions to this team," Woolstencroft told the club website.

"Coming to terms with having to retire has been tough, particularly when it's a club like Saracens you are leaving behind.

"Saracens is a club everyone aspires to play for, and to have been involved these last six seasons has been the greatest privilege.

"The success on the pitch surpassed anything I could have ever wished for, but it's the time off the field and friendships made that I will cherish the most.

"I've got to thank the coaches for putting their faith in me, and to the medical staff for patching me back together a fair few times."

Woolstencroft, who captained Saracens on several occasions, scored 17 tries in 52 Premiership games for the club.

He was part of their 2018-19 and 2022-23 title-winning sides, as well as helping them to the Championship crown in 2021-22 following the club's relegation for salary cap breaches.

"We are of course sad that Woolfy has had to bring his career to a premature end," said Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall.

"But he can look back and be incredibly proud of what he achieved and the high regard he is held in by everyone at the club."