The former Wales under 20’s midfielder suffered a series of head injuries with the latest an aerial collision against the Scarlets on Boxing Day 2017.
Following the incident in Llanelli John took a sabbatical with the intention of resuming his on-pitch career but experienced headaches after taking part in a maximum fitness event before Christmas and has decided he will not play rugby again.
The former Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr pupil’s early rugby days were spent at Loughor RFC. He then represented his home region at age-grade level before graduating to the Principality Premiership with Aberavon, scoring eight tries in 60 matches for the Wizards.
Capped at all Wales age-grade levels, he went to the 2010 Junior World Championships in Argentina, just months after making his Ospreys debut in an LV= Cup win over Leeds Carnegie at the Liberty Stadium. He made 79 Ospreys appearances, scoring 15 tries.
John has now established himself as a personal trainer in London.
“It’s taken so long for me to recover, after thinking about it long and hard, the best decision for me, the only one really, was to retire,” he said.
“Rugby has been my life but I realise that my long term health is more important so, in the end, my decision was an easy one, particularly having spent time outside of the game and recognising there is life away from the rugby pitch.
“It hasn’t been easy for me over the last couple of years but I’m extremely grateful to everybody at the Ospreys, players, staff and fans, for the support I’ve had. They’ve been absolutely brilliant.
“I’m not going to be a stranger. The Ospreys are my team and this is my Region. I’ve already been back to watch the boys and I intend keeping in touch, supporting the Ospreys from the stand.”
