Hull's Holmes admits defeat and retires from pro' rugby

Hull FC back rower Oliver Holmes has confirmed his retirement from professional rugby league with immediate effect.

- By DAN TOMLINSON

Holmes has had both surgery and a series of pain-killing injections in recent weeks to try and correct a knee issue, with the hope of returning for the Black and Whites this summer.

However, the attempts to overcome an injury that has limited him to just one appearance for the club have been unsuccessful.

As a result, Holmes has called time on his career, training for the last time with the Hull squad last Thursday. After the session, Holmes said his goodbyes.

The 32-year-old was hoping for a big year with Hull, with his knee first flaring up in pre-season.

He was declared fit to play against York Acorn in the Challenge Cup in February, but the injury reappeared towards the end of the game and, subsequently, was worse than first feared.

Holmes then tried every avenue alongside the club's medical staff to get fit and back playing in the second half of the season, but ultimately has now made the hard decision to retire from the sport.

"Calling it a day has been one of the hardest decisions I've made throughout my career," Holmes said.