Blow for Reds as scrum-half Dudley hangs up his boots

Jersey Reds have suffered a blow on the eve of the 2018/19 season with the news that scrum-half Joel Dudley has been forced to retire from rugby.

The 26-year-old scrum-half, the Reds' longest-serving player, has made the decision after the diagnosis of a pulmonary embolism - a blood clot in his lung.

This was his second blood clot following an episode of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) in 2012, and prompted professional advice that he would need to take anti-coagulant medication for the rest of his life and could no longer play a physical sport like rugby.

Head Coach Harvey Biljon said: "This is devastating news for Joel and for the club. He's been a popular member of the squad throughout his time here, and had become one of our senior and most-respected players. He's only in his mid-twenties and should have had many seasons of rugby ahead of him."