BREAKING: Another Player Quits Wales Ahead of 2023 Rugby World Cup
Rugby NewsFriday, 09 June 2023 at 12:08
Lock Cory Hill has become the fourth player to quit Warren Gatland's Wales training squad, ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Hill follows suit after the voluntary departures of Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric and Rhys Webb.
Hill also becomes the fifth total player to leave the squad, after Rhys Carre was released, as he failed to meet Gatland's performance targets. The initial 54-man group will then be reduced further to 49 players, with Hill tempted away by a reported overseas offer.
Wales Online reported how ‘high level talks’ were taking place in order to keep Hill in the squad, with the lock reportedly receiving overseas interest for a club move. Hill has 32 Wales caps, so the 25-cap WRU restriction on overseas stars will not impact the 31-year-old.
However this has not ensured the international future of Hill, as Wales Online reported how: “Many clubs in France and Japan are understandably reluctant to pay big money for players who will be away on international duty for large chunks of the season.
“It is understood Hill has been offered a playing contract overseas on the proviso he does not play for Wales in the upcoming World Cup."
It is as yet unconfirmed where Hill will be heading, but his future no longer lies within the Wales national squad. Hill has been playing for the Yokohama Cannon Eagles since 2021, yet recently left the Japanese club.
There were reported interests from the four Welsh clubs for Hill’s services, however due to the budget restrictions in the ongoing WRU salary saga, no offer materialised for the lock.
Five Wales internationals have now quit ahead of the World Cup
Get your tickets to the Rugby World Cup matches at viagogo, the world’s leading ticket marketplace. Find out how by clicking here.
This surge of recent retirements has led to fans fearing more yet follow before the 2023 Rugby World Cup kicks off.
One player fans will be hoping doesn't quit is powerhouse number 8 Taulupe Faletau, whose future remains uncertain.
#1. Alun Wyn Jones
Jones has said he will not return to the Ospreys next season, ending 17 years at the Welsh region.
The world's most capped rugby player who recently announced the end of his international career has also hinted he may play against Wales in November.
And speaking to a Barbarians podcast he suggested he may play on at club level.
"Whatever's next, if something pops up, there might be something domestic, I won't be back with the Ospreys," said Jones.
"But if nothing does I can be pretty happy with my innings anyway, but we'll see what comes in the next few months.
"As I said in my statement, there was a dialogue going along and it was the right time essentially," Jones told the podcast, before hinting he may play against Warren Gatland's side in the autumn.
"There's a game against Wales in November that the Baa-Baas have got as well, so you never know," he added.
#2. Justin Tipuric
Last month, Tipuric has confirmed his retirement from international rugby with immediate effect.
As a result, the Ospreys flanker won't be going to the 2023 Rugby World Cup with Warren Gatland's side after winning 93 caps for his country.
The Trebanos RFC product has been a mainstay in the Welsh squad since his international debut back in 2011. Known for his incredible work rate, agility, and rugby IQ, Tipuric has been an integral part of the Welsh national team for over a decade. He has contributed significantly to Welsh rugby’s recent successes, helping the team win four Six Nations tournaments, including two Grand Slams.
Having made his debut against Argentina back in 2011, Tipuric has been a mainstay of Welsh rugby for over a decade. In that time, he has become known as one of the finest open-side flankers in the game. His work-rate and ability to steal the ball at the breakdown have made him a vital component of the Welsh team.
Speaking on his decision, Tipuric said:
“During the off season I've had time to reflect on my playing career and now seems the right time to step away from international rugby.
“It's been a privilege to put on the Welsh jersey and have so many great memories.
“I'd like to thank all the players and coaches that l've been fortunate enough to work with over the years and the wonderful support I've received from the Welsh public.
“I'm looking forward to spending more time at home and putting all my energies into playing for my home region the Ospreys.”
#3. Bradley Davies
Former Wales lock Bradley Davies has confirmed his retirement from rugby, after Swansea RFC’s 150th Anniversary celebration match against the Barbarians.
The 36-year-old steps away from rugby, after the match which featured Alun Wyn Jones playing for both the Barbarians and Swansea. Davies lined-up in the row with Ospreys teammate Alun Wyn Jones for the first half, as he donned the famous black and white stripes of the Barbarians.
Davies was on the winning side for his final match, as the Barbarians ran out 68-33 victors over Swansea RFC. This celebration of Welsh rugby featured numerous Wales internationals and Ospreys legends.
Davies spoke after the game, discussing his retirement with BBC Sport.
"Well, I would never say never ever, but it's my last proper game,"
"I wouldn't mind jumping in a few more of these, especially after the week we've had.
"I didn't get the chance to finish with the Ospreys at the end of the season, with a couple of things. It is what it is.
"Now I get a chance to play in the region. My family can watch and give me a send-off."
Davies has played his rugby in Wales for the majority of his career, starting off with a nine-year tenure at Cardiff Blues after graduating the club's academy. The lock accrued 118 1st team caps for Cardiff, and he even gained international recognition as a Blues player. He scored a crucial try in the 2010 European Challenge Cup Final, as Cardiff came away with the silverware.
Davies was called into the Wales squad and made his off-the-bench debut, during the 2009 Six Nations against Scotland.
Davies has also experienced the honour of captaining Wales, as he led his country out for a two-match series against Japan, in the Summer tour of 2013. This series against the Brave Blossoms ended with a 1-1 draw, with Wales winning the opener 22-18, and Japan equalising in game two, with a 23-8 win.
Davies took a two-year break from playing in Wales, as he signed for Wasps from 2014 to 2016. The towering lock returned to Wales for the 2016/17 season, as he joined up with Ospreys, and remained in Swansea until the end of his career.
He currently holds coaching roles at Ospreys and Bridgend and hopes to land a first-team job in the future. A classic lock with admitted "passion for the lineout", Davies spoke about his ambitions to continue a career within rugby, albeit from the touchline.
"I've got a passion for coaching so I'm hoping to get into that field," added Davies.
"It's difficult at the moment with the way rugby is, it's hard to get jobs. I've got an academy job with the Ospreys and some stuff for Bridgend in the evenings.
"I'm looking forward to that. It's a chance to learn my trade and hopefully build up to a first-team coaching job. That's my ultimate aim.
#4. Rhys Webb
Wales and British & Irish Lions scrum-half Rhys Webb has announced his international retirement, ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
The 34-year-old shared the news on social media, after he had already been named in Warren Gatland's training squad for the competition.
Webb becomes the third Wales legend to announce international retirement, following on from Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric. Webb has been linked with moves abroad in the past, with French D2 club Biarritz named to have been interested in the Welshman's signature.
Super Rugby sides, and MLR teams in the United States are also reportedly keen to bring Webb outside of Europe.
Rhys Webb of Bath Rugby during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bath Rugby and Bristol Bears at The Recreation Ground, Bath on March 1. - PHOTO: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
Webb wrote on his Instagram account: "Having the opportunity to play for Wales again recently has been a huge honour and I am proud to have been named as part of the World Cup training squad.
"However, whilst I would have relished the chance to end my career playing for a Welsh region, the present uncertainty and difficulties in Welsh rugby, meant there was little opportunity for a contract that offered security for the coming years, as I see out my professional career.
"As such, when an opportunity to play abroad arose during the off season, enabling me to provide greater career security for myself and my family, I decided to accept the offer.
"I feel that after achieving my goal of returning to the Wales set-up, it is the right time now for me to step away from international rugby and just enjoy my last few years as a professional rugby player.
"I'd like to thank the Ospreys for continuing to believe in me, even when my omission from the Welsh squad sometimes had me doubting my own ability and Warren, for giving me a chance to pull the famous red jersey on once again."
Rhys Webb - Career Retrospective
A Bridgend native, Webb began his rugby career with Bridgend Athletic, before progressing into the club's senior team in 2006. Webb's talent's were instantly recognised, and the scrum half progressed rapidly into the Ospreys set up for the 2007/08 Celtic League.
During his six year's in the Welsh Premiership (alongside his Ospreys career), Webb spent half his time at Bridgend, before he took a year year starring role with Aberavon until 2011. He soon found silverware with the Ospreys, as the Welsh club shocked Leinster with a 17-12 win in the 2009/10 Celtic League final, and they lifted their first league title in five years.
Webb remained loyal to the Ospreys for an additional eight years, were he continued to establish himself amongst the squad, and become a top contender of Wales' number nine jersey. The 2011/12 season was Webb's breakthrough, as Mike Phillips had left the club to join Bayonne. The Ospreys claimed the inaugural Pro12 league title, after once again leaving Leinster stunned in the final. Ospreys completed a staggering 31-30 comeback, with Webb at the helm for the triumph.
This ignited Webb's international career, as he made his debut in the 2012 Six Nations, coming off the bench against Italy. Webb missed out on the 2015 Rugby World Cup with a late injury, which he picked up in a warm-up match. 2016 was a year of redemption for Webb, who's stellar Osprey performances lead him to the 2016 Six Nations, and later earnt him a spot on the 2017 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand.
Webb moved to Toulon in 2018, which unfortunately ruled him out of contention for Warren Gatland's Wales squad. The 60-cap rule stood for overseas Welsh players, and Webb had only accrued 31. Webb returned to the Ospreys in 2020 after a stint with Bath.
This saw the scrum half omitted back into the Wales senior side, during the Wayne Pivac era.
Webb played his final matches for Wales during the 2023 Six Nations.
#5. Josh Navidi
The powerhouse flanker, who toured South Africa with the Lions in 2023, was forced to retire from rugby due to an injury.
Together with his friend Jack Wilkins, he operates a thriving car dealership known as Cute Club. Additionally, he is a renowned DJ who frequently performs in the Cardiff nightlife scene.
"It started off with me just buying my own cars, driving them, and then selling them the next year because I've always been a petrol head," he told Wales Online.
"I've always had sporty cars but now I go for stuff with less fuel, and I've always changed my cars every year.
"I started going to auctions for my own stuff and then boys were asking me what's the best VIP deal with all these lease deals that we get offered.
"I was advising some of the Cardiff boys for years on how to get the best deals for cars, and some boys were asking for cars you couldn't get on the VIP scheme.
"They wanted all sorts like performance cars and one thing led to another.
"Boys started asking about finance and then it led me down that path, then into warranties, and then we would just meet people day to day.
"Now we have got a forecourt, and we are a car dealership which buys and sells cars.
"We are open from 9am to 5pm
TRENDING
LATEST NEWS
LATEST COMMENTS
Loading
