FORMER Saints prop Nick Fozzard has shared the bad news he received from brain specialists last week.

The strong-running front rower, who had two spells at Saints from 2004-08 and in 2010, never shirked a direct carry in a long career in the toughest position on the park.

Fozzard, who is now 45, played for Leeds, Huddersfield, Warrington, Saints, Hull KR, Castleford and Dewsbury before retiring in 2012.

But that appears to have come at some cost and yesterday the Yorkshireman twice tweeted on his condition.

His first tweet read: “Hi All. Just had a bit of bad news this last week. I’m ok so please don’t worry but thought I’d share this.

“One thing to remember- if rugby league wasn’t the most brutal team sport on earth - I wouldn’t have played it.

“What a life I had in rugby league.”

St Helens Star: Nick Fozzard against BrisbaneNick Fozzard against Brisbane (Image: SWpix.com)

Fozzard, well known as a character within the game and popular with players and fans alike, then sent a follow up tweet later in the day.

 

“I hate cryptic texts like the one I posted earlier.

“Brain scan results back. My scan results are one of the worst the brain specialists have seen.

“Not surprising having playing rugby league front row professionally against men from age 14 – 34.

“But I’m ok,” he posted.

 

Fozzard, who earned one Great Britain cap and was in the last Saints side to win the World Club Challenge against Brisbane, had a very distinctive running style.

He would gamely hit the ball up hard with a very upright running style – often repelling bigger opponents to win the collision.