JAMES Eckert admits he still thinks about playing rugby, but would never reverse his decision to come out of retirement.

The former loose-head prop called time on a 17-year career at the beginning of this campaign, despite completing the majority of pre-season training.

Eckert, who played club rugby for Grove, Oxford Harlequins and Chinnor, admitted he had been having doubts about continuing for the 2016-17 season.

But there was one moment which made his mind up – the sudden death of former teammate and good friend Rob Froud-Williams, who died of a heart attack at just 37, in August.

Eckert said: “The whole reason this came about was Rob dying and he was a rugby player.

“He had children all the same age as mine (three under the age of seven) and that confirmed my decision.

“I think about rugby all the time, because I miss the banter, but I've got three children.

“I still did 80 per cent of pre-season this year and then Rob died and 'boom' that flicked the switch.”

Herald Series:

  • Rob Froud-Williams, pictured playing for Grove in 2000, died of a heart attack in August last year

The 37-year-old, from Wantage, added: “I don’t want to start playing again.

“I played at a good level for a long time.

“I can still play with my children, still do my job, I'm not sore, I can still train at the gym every morning.

“I've been able to walk away on my terms rather than retire through injury and there is a lot to be said for that.”

Eckert, who works for PJE Building Contractors – his family's business – now spends the majority of Saturday’s with his wife, Rachel, and their children.

He lists captaining Grove to their first Oxfordshire Cup triumph in 2015, promotion from Southern Counties North in 2013 and skippering Oxfordshire as his biggest achievements.

Herald Series:

  • James Eckert (left) in action for Oxfordshire in 2009

Eckert added: “I’d like to thank Grove, Quins, Chinnor and Oxfordshire, because I'm proud of the clubs I've played for and the friends I've made.

“There are a lot of good guys at every club I've been at, but they do not get the recognition they deserve.

“Everyone knows who they are.”