Here's how social media reacted as Lions and Wales legend Sam Warburton announced shock retirement

Rugby on TNT Sports

@rugbyontnt

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British and Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton has announced his retirement from rugby at age 29. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 74 Wales caps 🗣 49 as captain 🦁 5 Lions caps 🏆 2 Six Nations championships A magnificent player, and a great servant to Welsh rugby 👏

Paul Williams

@thepaulwilliams

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Congratulations to Sam Warburton on an amazing career. Achieved so much, in a reasonably short career. How he made it to 29, playing as he did, is remarkable. King of the jackal. Well played, Sam.

Harlequins 🃏

@Harlequins

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Congratulations on a fantastic career, @samwarburton_

Cardiff Rugby

@Cardiff_Rugby

Sam Warburton calls time on illustrious career tinyurl.com/yd824oq6

British & Irish Lions

@lionsofficial

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A leader on the pitch, a gentleman off it. Thank You @samwarburton_ for the incredible memories! #ThanksWarby

Welsh Rugby Union 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

@WelshRugbyUnion

Full story on @samwarburton_ retirement: tinyurl.com/ydh2rmbn #ThanksWarby

Welsh Rugby Union 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

@WelshRugbyUnion

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BREAKING: @samwarburton_ has announced his retirement from the game. He led Wales for a record 49 times in his 74 appearances. #ThanksWarby

Ben Coles

@bencoles_

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Sam Warburton retires at 29. Remarkable player and bloke, and an exemplary leader. Hell of a career.

Polly James

@PollyJames

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Biggups @samwarburton_ and his fantastic career in @WelshRugbyUnion and @cardiff_blues 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Loved the time we spent on the field together, here is just one of many action shots... I think we won the game after this line out 😉☺️

Brian Moore

@brianmoore666

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Sad to hear of Sam Warburton's retirement but he can look back with immense pride on his career.

Nick Mullins

@andNickMullins

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Sam Warburton retiring. Few got the better of him on the pitch, but he’s lost out to injury injury off it. Broadcasters all over the land will be flinging open their studio doors to him.

Tom Hamilton

@tomhamiltonespn

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Sam Warburton, 29, has retired from rugby. Some player, some career.

Chris Czekaj

@czeksyboy

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Congrats @samwarburton_ on one hell of a career. Top class player on the pitch and an absolute gent off it. 👍🏻 h

Cardiff Rugby

@Cardiff_Rugby

Sam Warburton calls time on illustrious career tinyurl.com/yd824oq6

Scott Williams

@ScottWilliams_1

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Devastated with the news @samwarburton_ absolute legend of the game and unbelievable career. Proud to have played under you! Half decent bloke too 😝 👏🏼👏🏼

Andrew RT Davies

@AndrewRTDavies

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Sad to see one of Wales’ very best bow out of the game. He’ll go down as a legend of the @WelshRugbyUnion and more importantly as a fantastic ambassador for our country and rugby as a whole. Wishing @samwarburton all the best. tinyurl.com/ydh2rmbn

Bath Rugby

@BathRugby

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One of the game's greats. Wishing you all the best in your next chapter @samwarburton_.

Cardiff Rugby

@Cardiff_Rugby

Sam Warburton calls time on illustrious career tinyurl.com/yd824oq6

Dai Lama

@WelshDalaiLama

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Something tells me Warburton's going to do alright though. No need to start a whipround just yet. 🎙️📺💰