Gregor Townsend, Kelly Brown and more react to Ross Rennie retirement

Scotland flanker Ross Rennie announced his decision to retire from professional rugby today due to injury at the age of 28.

The news came out of the blue after the former Edinburgh forward had been sidelined since October with a neck injury picked up during Bristol Rugby’s British and Irish Cup win over Moseley.

We round up the best tweets in tribute to one of northern hemisphere rugby’s finest openside flankers of the last decade.

Glasgow Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend praises Rennie’s reinvention of the openside position.

Ross Rennie was starting to re-invent openside play with his running lines, rip tackles & offload ability. A real shame he's had to retire.

— Gregor Townsend (@gregortownsend) January 14, 2015

Despite not featuring for the national team since 2012, Scotland head coach Vern Cotter’s tribute suggests Rennie was still in the frame for a recall.

Vern Cotter: "Ross Rennie has been a fantastic player for Scotland. It’s very disappointing for him and us that he's had to retire early."

— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) January 14, 2015

Rennie’s Bristol team-mate Kyle Traynor is gutted by the news.

Gutted for my good friend Ross Rennie who announced his retirement from rugby today.An incredible player and one of the best blokes around

— Kyle Traynor (@KyleTraynor) January 14, 2015

Scarlets flanker John Barclay also lauds the ability of his former international colleague and occasional opponent from his Glasgow Warriors days.

Sad to hear of my old mate Ross Rennie's retirement. Genuinely one of the most talented players I had the pleasure of playing with & against

— John Barclay (@johnbarc86) January 14, 2015

Former Newport Gwent Dragons and Scarlets centre Gareth Maule sleeps better since joining Bristol last summer.

Sorry to see Ross Rennie retire. Nightmare to play against, pleasure to play with and most of all an absolute gent. All the best!

— Gareth Maule (@GarethMaule) January 14, 2015

Scotland flanker Alasdair Strokosch sums up what many in the game believe could have been.

Ross Rennie could have been one of the worlds greatest players if it wasn't for all the injuries. Absolute class act.

— Ally Strokosch (@thebigstroker) January 14, 2015

Former Scotland scrum-half turned Sky Sports talking head Rory Lawson tweets his tribute to “The Bear”.

Genuinely upset to hear that Ross “The Bear” Rennie has had to hang boots up. One of the most talented sports guys you’ll ever see! #gent

— Rory Lawson (@rorylawson9) January 14, 2015

Edinburgh back-rower turned hooker Stuart McInally reveals a future as a chess player is not on the cards for Rennie.

Sad to see Ross Rennie retire – wishing him all the best for future. Great at rugby, terrible at chess pic.twitter.com/x6OOPGEErt

— Stuart McInally (@McInallyStuart) January 14, 2015

The Scottish back row union is out in force as Saracens and Scotland flanker Kelly Brown joins in the tributes.

Sad to hear Ross Rennie has been forced to retire. A ridiculous, natural rugby talent. Lovely guy too.

— Kelly Brown (@kellydrbrown) January 14, 2015