Former Exeter flanker Ewers retires aged 34
Former Exeter flanker Dave Ewers has retired from rugby union.The 34-year-old came up through Exeter's academy ranks and was a key part of the side that reached six consecutive Premiership finals and won the 2020 European Champions Cup. Injury kept him out of Exeter's 2017 Premiership final win over Wasps, but he started in their 2020 final victory against the same opponents having also started the Champions Cup final the week before.Ewers was called up to the England squad in February 2016, but a series of injuries meant he never went on to win an England cap.He made 226 Exeter appearances and scored 40 tries before joining Ulster in the summer of 2023.
The Zimbabwe-born forward has spent the past season playing for Cape Town-based side Stormers in the United Rugby Championship where he played nine times. "Thank you to Rob (Baxter, Exeter director of rugby) and everyone involved at Exeter for giving me the opportunity all those years ago, was a special journey going from the Championship to winning the double in 2020," Ewers said on social media as he announced his retirement., external"To all the boys, thank you for all the memories, I feel nothing but blessed to have experienced everything along the way with you all, on and off the pitch."We shared some incredible memories that I will never forget. "A special mention to all the backroom staff of everywhere I've been, and especially Exeter where I had all my injuries. Thank you for getting me back on the pitch. "To all the fans, near and far, thank you for all the support over the years, it's meant a lot to me."
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