Leavy's sad departure leaves questions about player safety

That Dan Leavy was able to return to the field for Leinster 16 times following recovery from a horrific knee injury in March 2019 was nothing short of miraculous.

That he has been forced to admit defeat in his battle to reach the levels he once graced with such a unique talent is heartbreaking.

The tone of the 27-year-old's retirement note was a sign of the man and the inner strength that he possesses.

Three years ago a list of the damage done to his knee appeared in the Sunday Independent: "ligament ruptures to his knee, anterior, posterior and both sides, hamstring torn off the bone, torn calf and a broken fibula".

"When you suffer such a big injury like that it really is a tough ask to come back and pick up where you left off," former Ulster and Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris, who also had to retire due to injury, told RTÉ's Game on last night.

Where he left off was simply with an honours list that most players with 15-year careers don't have: a Six Nations Grand Slam, three Pro12 titles and Champions Cup.

And he wasn’t just along for the ride, Leavy played a crucial part in all those campaigns, combining strength and dynamism with a natural rugby brain.

He scored three tries in 11 Ireland appearances, all wins. The Dubliner racked up 17 tries in 79 Leinster games after making his debut in 2014.

"When he was playing regularly, he was one of the best number 7s in Ireland," said Connacht's Conor Oliver, a good friend of Leavy's.

"It was his breakdown, everything around his game and stuff was amazing.

"He was an athlete as well, his physique too, you very rarely get players of that kind of athleticism.

"He was a tough opponent and a tough player to play against. I have fond memories of playing against him, I loved playing against a