FORMER Worcester Warriors back rower David Denton has announced his retirement from professional rugby.

The 29-year-old Scotland international made 21 appearances, scoring seven tries for Warriors in the 2017-18 campaign.

He joined Leicester Tigers last summer but suffered a head injury in the win over Northampton Saints at Twickenham in October 2018 and did not play again last season.

After extensive consultation with medical experts, Denton has now been advised to hang up his boots.

“Of course, it is devastating that my rugby career is ending,” said Denton who won 42 caps for Scotland.

“After a few years where I had a series of injuries, I had got myself back into a position where I felt, physically and mentally, that I could play the best rugby of my career.

“Since I was 14 or 15 my identity has been forged around being a sportsman, a rugby player.

“Now, at the age of 29, a few years before I expected, the circumstances have changed.”

Denton, who has a 10-month-old son Logan with his fiancée Shelley, is planning to move back to Edinburgh and sees his future in the business world as opposed to coaching.

“I want to get into the corporate world,” Denton said.

“Coaching, as a career, was never something that appealed to me.

“I’m really excited for the next steps in my life.

“As a rugby player, the thing I have valued most is how I’m seen and how I’m valued by an organisation.

“I was happy to take less money from an organisation where I was more valued.

“Again, as a player, there’s the adrenalin rush you get from running out every Friday or Saturday and even the days leading up to that. You run out to fireworks and flames.

“Now I have to look at the transition where things do not move as quickly as that.

“The big thing for me going forward is that I do not want to look back in sadness.”

Educated in South Africa, Denton played for Eastern Province before moving to Edinburgh University to study economics.

During his time at Edinburgh Denton started 74 of his 79 games and reached the European Challenge Cup final in 2015. He also featured in the Rugby World Cup that year.

After a injury-hit season at Bath Denton moved to Warriors where he became a popular figure before joining Leicester.

“Concussion is obviously a contentious issue at the moment,” Denton added.

“Personally, I think World Rugby is doing as much as it can to try and limit the number of incidents.

“Controlling tackles above the shoulders has been a positive step but I think making anything above the waist illegal would cause more trouble than good.

“If my son wanted to play rugby, I wouldn’t be worried in the first instance.

“I think it is important that all school kids, coaches and teachers are well-educated about concussion signs, risks and treatments.”