Sinbad retires

I suppose injuries were always going to get the best of him, but a broken ankle in a dire LV game has resulted in James Simpson-Daniel's his retirement. I know we all get a little misty eyed about our own players, but I can genuinely say I have never seen another player do what he did. He was criticised for his defensive ability, but the reality is this was rarely a problem. What he was capable of was creating chances out of nothing with amazing footwork and creativity. You could always tell that he played his formative years at fly half as his distribution for a winger was excellent. Glaws were always a better side when he was in it and he will be sorely missed.

His 10 England caps were a poor return for his talent, but the timing of his injuries were appalling and robbed him of the chance of becoming an international great. He was also treated pretty shabbily at times by various England coaches resulting in him ultimately turning his back on the international side. It is a shame that he will look back on his career with any element of regret. Glandula fever stopped him being involved in the 2003 World Cup winning squad and it could have led to greater things.

Nevertheless, in a time when legend is over-used he will without doubt be known as a Gloucester legend; 272 appearances and 118 tries recognises his contribution to the club. It is a shame that the number of tries he has created is not recorded as I would wager it vastly outnumbers those he scored.

It is very disappointing news ahead of the new season, but hopefully the sport retains his influence in some guise.

Should have been one of the famous names of English rugby....and have a bucket load of caps and given English Fans memories galore...like his performance v Lomu for England v the Baa Baas.

It's always sad to see a player retire due to injury rather than on their own terms. He never seemed to be fit at the right time for England, but as you say the stats tell their own story.

Good luck for the future, JSD.

Get him signed up as Englands skills coach!

Unbelievably bad injury timing alone stopped Sinbad becoming a legend. Not just a great player but a great man - had an attitude which a lot of today's young talent can learn from.

All the best, JSD.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Get him signed up as Englands skills coach!

You cannot teach what Sinbad had. You are born with it.

Interview here:

http://www.gloucestercitizen.co.uk/EXCLUSIVE-INTERVIEW-James-Simpson-Daniel-forced/story-22863965-detail/story.html

I had a look at the interruptions and setbacks in his career for another thread a couple of years ago:

https://www.606v2.com/t36708-simpson-daniel-for-the-lions#1648267

Probably one of the most balanced runners I've ever watched play - real talent.

The Matt LeTissier of the English rugby game.
You look at his ability and wonder why he wasn't capped more often.

Genuine rifleman with an amazing strike rate. Proof that you don't have to be the biggest of men to just keep on scoring.

Real shame he never really got a consistent run of games with England for one reason or another. Such a great player to watch.

Nice tribute from Tom May

http://www.espnscrum.com/premiership-2014-15/rugby/story/239705.html