It’s always an odd occasion when a player finally decides to hang up his boots. It’s the knowledge that you’ll never see them playing top-level rugby again, but also a time to celebrate the immense career that they'd put their blood, sweat and tears into.
That time has come for a certain Chris Robshaw, as he announced his retirement via Twitter earlier on today.
Robshaw has been playing for San Diego Legion in Major League Rugby since 2020, and the 36-year-old had made the United States his final destination on his rugby journey:
“After 18 years of professional rugby and a career I could only have dreamt of, I am officially announcing my retirement from the great game.
"Following three dislocated shoulders in quick succession my body has told me to blow the final whistle.
"No words can do justice to how fortunate and privileged I am to have enjoyed a career in the sport I am most passionate about."
Robshaw spent the majority of his career over at Harlequins where he became a fan favourite in his 16-year tenure. He played over 300 times for the club, and went on to win the Premiership Player of the Year on two separate occasions.
It was while playing for Quins that Robshaw was given his first opportunity in the England shirt, for which shortly afterwards he was made captain of the national side. The flanker turned out 66 times for England over his career with 43 of those as captain.
Fellow players, pundits, and fans alike were all keen to wish Chris the best going forward, including former referee Nigel Owens as he shared one of their most famous of exchanges:
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