WORCESTER, England (AP) Worcester Rugby Club says ex-Wales international forward Jonathan Thomas has retired after being diagnosed with epilepsy ''thought to be from multiple head traumas.''
Concussion has become a serious issue within rugby, forcing stricter medical protocols to be introduced ahead of the World Cup which kicks off Friday in England.
Thomas, 32, played 67 tests for Wales from 2003-2011, including two World Cups and two Six Nations Grand Slam campaigns.
In a statement Tuesday, Worcester high performance director Nick Johnston said the club ''sought the best medical opinion in the country in order to try and enable Jonathan to prolong his career. But unfortunately, on the advice of consultants, he has been advised to retire from professional rugby.''
Thomas played at Ospreys for 10 seasons before joining Worcester in 2013.
