Injury has robbed us of a legend in Harry Ellis, says a saddened Johnson
MARTIN JOHNSON believes England have lost a future legend in Harry Ellis, who was forced to retire yesterday at the age of 28 with knee problems.
The Leicester and England scrum-half underwent reconstruction surgery on his left knee in 2007, then saw his brief comeback thwarted with a similar injury last season, eventually prompting him to hang up his boots.
England team boss Johnson was a former team-mate of Ellis for the Tigers and the national side and says the game has been robbed of a potential star.
“Harry has been an excellent player who always gave everything for Leicester Tigers and
England,” he said.
“From the first time he was involved it was obvious to everyone in the Tigers squad that he was a special talent and that he’d make a big impact. I’m sure that if he’d been fit Harry would have continued to make a huge contribution to his club and country for many years to come. On behalf of the England squad I’d like to wish Harry all the best for the future.”
Ellis, who won 27 caps for England and one for the British Lions in 2009, consulted highly-respected orthopaedic surgeon Andy Williams before making his decision.
“All last season I was taking a hell of a lot of painkillers and I was constantly having blood and fluid drained from my knee,” he said.
“I have had so many operations on my knee I knew it was time to retire. I was gutted and really upset when I found out and it took a while to get used to.”