Ospreys hooker reflects on premature retirement due to neck injury

Ospreys hooker Scott Otten has announced his retirement from professional rugby on medical advice with immediate effect.

The 26-year-old suffered a neck injury playing for Ospreys against Guinness PRO14 opponents the Dragons in January.

Otten, a Wales Under-20 international, made more than 100 Ospreys appearances since his debut in 2014.

📹After announcing his retirement, we caught up with @ScottOtten about his rugby career, his personal highlights in an Ospreys jersey and what’s next for him

Watch the full interview here 👉https://t.co/W4wfsgUcMp#DiolchOtts pic.twitter.com/pcL0fSJbQB

— Ospreys (@ospreys) May 18, 2021

“It (rugby career) has been a dream come true, and it’s just gut-wrenching and cruel to have it cut short,” Otten said, in a statement released by the Ospreys.

“For me, retirement from rugby has come way too early. There is a lot of hard work to come.

“My coffee business is growing nicely at the moment, and I have just finished my level two coaching course and looking ahead to my level three, then seeing what opportunities are out there for me to become a coach.”

Ospreys head coach Toby Booth added: “It is hugely sad when a player’s career is curtailed by injury, but if there is a silver lining it is that Scott has planned an alternative career, which will no doubt see him flourish.”