Sam Warburton retires: Former British and Irish Lions captain calls time on career aged 29 due to injury

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Will Macpherson19 July 2018

The Wales and British and Irish Lions legend Sam Warburton has retired from rugby with immediate effect after losing a battle with injury aged 29.

Warburton was the British and Irish Lions captain on both his tours (only Martin Johnson has also led more than one tour), the 2-1 victory over Australia in 2013 and the drawn series against New Zealand in 2017. He also won Six Nations titles in 2012 and 2013, the former a Grand Slam.

He has not played since the drawn decider of that series last July and reluctantly decided to retire from the game 14 months out from a third World Cup.

Warburton was sidelined throughout the 2017-18 season for Cardiff Blues and Wales following neck and knee surgery. Having returned to preseason training he came to the decision to retire.

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Following his debut in 2009, he played 74 times for Wales – 49 of them as captain – and a further five Tests for the Lions. He was infamously sent off in the 2011 World Cup semi-final against France having been named Wales captain, aged 22, earlier that year.

"Unfortunately, after a long period of rest and rehabilitation the decision to retire from rugby has been made with my health and wellbeing as a priority as my body is unable to give me back what I had hope for on my return to training,” said Warburton.

Warren Gatland, Warburton’s coach with Wales and the Lions, led the tributes to a great of Welsh rugby.

"It is hugely disappointing that Sam has retired from the game,” said Gatland. "He is an outstanding rugby player and he has brought so much to the game on and off the pitch.

"His leadership, attitude and demeanour along with his performances have placed Sam up there as one of the best and most respected players in the world. He finishes with a record that he should be extremely proud of and should look back on his career with huge pride.”

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