Shock retirement call from former Italy and Gloucester star

Italy international and former Gloucester back-row forward Jake Polledri has announced his retirement from the game with immediate effect due to his inability to recover from injury.

Polledri made the decision after he failed to recover fully from a foot injury sustained at his new club Zebre Parma, who he joined from the Cherry and Whites last summer.

Only made one appearance for his new club

The 28-year-old joined Zebre last summer but only made one appearance for the Italian outfit, in the Challenge Cup in December.

Prior to that, he plied his trade at Gloucester in the Premiership and spent six years at the Kingsholm-based club.

Polledri made his international debut for Italy against Scotland in their last game of the 2018 Six Nations and would go on to make 20 appearances for the Azzurri and also represented them at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

He also sustained a broken leg as well as knee, hamstring and calf injuries in a 2020 encounter against Scotland.

“My return to the pitch from my catastrophic knee injury in 2020 was tough,” Polledri posted on Instagram.

“A lot of people wrote me off immediately, which didn’t deter me. From complete paralysis in my foot to 677 days later being able to run out at Gloucester again. The support from the Kingsholm fans was immense and is cherished.

Not operating at 100%

“My foot however hasn’t returned back to 100% and ultimately it has affected my ability to return to the high level of rugby I played, and it has also affected life generally.

“I have reluctantly accepted that my body and professionals are telling me retire from the sport that I love.

“I look forward to my next chapter and I will remain positive in what it can bring.”

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