"Curtain Call" - Five Players Who'll Retire from Internationals after the 2023 Rugby World Cup

Each of these players are centurions for their countries, and are likely to hang up their boots following this year's showpiece in France.

Living legends with decorated careers, here are five players expected to retire from international duty, and who is expected to carry the torch forward from them, after the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

With 156 test match caps, Alun Wyn Jones holds the test match record for Wales. His incredible career sets the standard for international longevity, as no player has achieved more caps for their country than Jones. He eclipsed Richie McCaw's record of 148 All Blacks appearances against France in 2020, and is currently involved in his 17th consecutive Guinness Six Nations competition.

Since becoming the first choice lock ahead of the 2007 Six Nations, Alun Wyn Jones has held onto the shirt ever since. However, the legendary lock looks to be finally winding down, with a new generation of fresh-faced Welsh players set to breakthrough. After an under-par performance against Ireland in the opening round of the 2023 Six Nations, the 37-year-old was in fact dropped by Warren Gatland ahead of Wales' trip to Murrayfield.

Exeter Chiefs lock Dafydd Jenkins replaced Jones in the row, with the 20-year-old putting in a strong performance against Scotland. Jones is back in the starting line-up against England, after Gatland announced the team yesterday. He seems to remain in the former British & Irish Lions Head Coach's plans for now, yet Gatland has made it clear that he is looking to introduce young stars to the Welsh squad, with Jenkins possibly taking the torch forward after the Rugby World Cup.

Despite Johnny Sexton aging like a fine wine in an Ireland jersey, he is undoubtedly approaching the twilight of his career. Sexton is still able to light up a game with match-winning moments, and presented Leinster and Ireland fans that he still match fit, with pace to burn. What better way could the 37-year-old wrap up his career for his country, than leading the way to Ireland's first ever Rugby World Cup.

The number one ranked side in the world, Ireland are putting on performances which match up to the moniker. Their second round win over France, in Round 2 of this years Six Nations only strengthened their status as favourites to be World Champions come October.

With 111 Ireland caps, and 1034 points and counting, Sexton is a certifiable great in the green jersey. However now, Andy Farrell has begun looking to the future of his side, with a power struggle between Munster teammates Joey Carbery and Jack Crowley. Farrell seems to favour 23-year-old Crowley as the natural successor to Sexton, once the Dubliner hangs up for boots for Ireland.

England's all-time appearance holder is set to call time on his international career following the 2023 Rugby World Cup. A leading man in Steve Borthwick's new England squad, Youngs has been mainstay at scrum half for his country, despite making his England debut on the wing, replacing Ugo Monye in 2010. Youngs outlasted the likes of Danny Care, Willi Heinz and Ben Spencer in solidifying his spot as England's 'number nine', and expectations are that he will step away following one last crack at the Rugby World Cup.

Racking up 117 caps, Youngs now feels older than his namesake, and is looking to the future of England's scrum half jersey alongside Head Coach Steve Borthwick. Leicester Tigers teammate Jack van Poortvliet is prospering under the guidance of Ben Youngs, and has begun to thrive on the international stage.

Borthwick and Youngs also mentored van Poortvliet at Tigers, in what presents the natural successor to the XX-year-old. Youngs has had a successful career for England, the 2020 Autumn Nations Cup and X Six Nations titles, X of which were Grand Slams. Reaching the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final, the William Web Ellis trophy is the single piece of silverware that Youngs is yet to obtain.

At 34-years-old the clock had begun ticking for Aaron Smith, however the sands of time may be falling faster, after the All Blacks scrum half announced his upcoming move to Japan. After eleven years playing for his beloved Highlanders, Aaron Smith announced that he will be joining Beauden Barrett at Toyota Verblitz in the Japan One league.

Barrett only signed for one season, yet Smith will leave New Zealand on an undisclosed yet 'long-term deal'. The expectations are that he'll be seeing out his playing days in Japan, yet a return should never be written-off. Despite achieving 113 caps for the All Blacks, Smith's journey to keep the nine jersey has not been at all straightforward. Taking over in 2012 for the veteran Piri Weepu, the Highlander has had to compete with the vicious competition of TJ Perenara the entire time.

A six time winner of The Rugby Championship, and a Rugby World Cup winners medal in 2015, Aaron Smith has won all that he can with his country. His only shot at the British & Irish Lions in 2017, ended in the controversial "accidental offside" fiasco, and eventual draw. Finishing on top of the rugby world would be the dream send-off for the scrum half, with the likes of Finlay Christie of the Auckland Blues set to take the reigns into the future.

After achieving 76 caps and over 200 points for Australia, Quade Cooper looked to be all said and done with international rugby following the end of the 2019/20 season. An unfulfilling campaign saw Cooper failed to be selected for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, with the expectations being that his time was over for the Wallabies.

However, some 1,541 days since his last match for his country, Cooper was called-up for the 2021 Rugby Championship, and helped Australia to victory over South Africa. The fly half then featured for a handful of international tests until last Summer, as he suffered an Achilles' injury whilst warming up for Australia first test against England.

Former Australia Head Coach Dave Rennie brought through Brumbies youngster Noah Lolesio at fly half, with Queensland Red James O'Connor in support off the bench. With a new Head Coach in Eddie Jones, it is unclear as to whether Cooper will feature in the Australia squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. However, if the 34-year-old is selected in the squad for France, it is far to expect this will be his last dance in the gold of his country.