5:50am, 08 September 2018

Former Ireland international Dominic Ryan has been forced to retire due to concussion aged just 28.

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His former club Leinster confirmed the news on social media stating “Former Gonzaga College @LansdowneFC #LeinsterRugby and @IrishRugby player Dominic Ryan has been forced to retire through injury. He played over 100 times for Leinster before moving to @LeicesterTigers in 2017. Very best of luck in the next chapter Dippy. #LeinsterFamily”

Former Gonzaga College @LansdowneFC #LeinsterRugby and @IrishRugby player Dominic Ryan has been forced to retire through injury. He played over 100 times for Leinster before moving to @LeicesterTigers in 2017. Very best of luck in the next chapter Dippy. #LeinsterFamily pic.twitter.com/g6JxEE1MLW — Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) September 8, 2018

Leicester were heavily criticised for not subjecting Ryan to a HIA assessment during a Premiership match with Northampton on September 9th at Franklin’s Gardens last year following a collision with George North’s elbow in the 52nd minute while attempting a cover tackle.

They need to get Dominic Ryan off the pitch now. An incident like that, with suspected LOC, can't go unnoticed. — Alex Shaw (@alexshawsport) September 9, 2017

Ryan went on to finish the game against Northampton.

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Two weeks later Ryan had a HIA during Leicester’s win at Harlequins on 23 September and wasn’t selected for the next two matches.

The Tigers then elected to give Ryan a 12-week break to try and recover from the effects of concussion, but the flanker has now been forced to call it a day.

Ryan won his single Ireland cap against Georgia in November 2014.

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Watch now: In a new RugbyPass series – Beyond 80 – takes an unflinching look at the reality of concussion in rugby. ‘Knocked’ sees players, referees, medics and the sport’s bodies give a unique insight into the condition and what’s being done to combat it