Retirement
Player retiring from competition.
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Cleall and Leitch come out of retirement to bolster Barbarians Women against Wales
Former England internationals Bryony Cleall and Poppy Leitch have reversed their retirements to join the Barbarians Women's squad for their match against Wales at Allianz Stadium later this month, with Ruby Tui also confirmed in the side.
Rugby -
Vardy rules out Leicester return and confirms he will keep playing into 2026-27
Jamie Vardy has shut down speculation about a sentimental return to Leicester City, saying 'that's gone', while also revealing he has no plans to retire ahead of the 2026-27 season after his contract at Cremonese expires.
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Kane reaches out to Eriksen after 'scary' ICD activation ends Denmark friendly
Christian Eriksen collapsed during Denmark's friendly with Ukraine on Sunday before his ICD device activated and he walked off the pitch. Former Tottenham team-mate Harry Kane said he was shaken by the news and has since contacted Eriksen to wish him well.
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Saracens target first PWR title since 2022 as Blacklock eyes life beyond rugby
Saracens host Exeter Chiefs in the Premiership Women's Rugby semi-final this Sunday, chasing a first league title since 2021/22. Centre Beth Blacklock, who retired from Scotland duty earlier this year, is balancing her push for a place in the matchday squad with two new roles in the tech industry.
Rugby -
James Lowe to leave Leinster after nine years and 101 appearances
Leinster have confirmed James Lowe will depart at the end of the season after nine years and 101 appearances, with the Ireland wing set to join Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath in Japan's Rugby League One. His exit also ends his international career.
Rugby -
Lineker says BBC 'marriage ran out of love' as he reflects on Match of the Day exit
Gary Lineker has described his 26-year relationship with the BBC as a marriage that had 'run out of love', saying his departure from Match of the Day last May was accelerated by a controversial Instagram post about Zionism that he says he shared without noticing an antisemitic image.
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Divock Origi retires at 31, calling his Liverpool legacy a 'fulfilled' purpose
Divock Origi has announced his retirement at 31, ending a career defined by iconic moments at Liverpool — including a goal in the 2019 Champions League final and a decisive strike in the famous semi-final comeback against Barcelona.
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Divock Origi retires at 31, ending career defined by iconic Liverpool moments
Divock Origi has announced his retirement from professional football at 31. The Belgian striker scored 41 goals in 175 Liverpool appearances, including a decisive double in the 2019 Champions League semi-final comeback against Barcelona and a goal in the final against Tottenham.
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Marlie Packer to leave Saracens after nine years and three Premiership titles
England flanker Marlie Packer will depart Saracens at the end of the current season, ending a nine-year spell that brought three Premiership Women's Rugby titles and the 2023 World Rugby Women's Player of the Year award.
Rugby -
Eriksen collapses again on international duty, raising fresh fears over his career
Christian Eriksen was taken to hospital after collapsing during Denmark's friendly against Ukraine in Odense on Sunday. The 34-year-old was conscious and reported to be in good spirits, but the incident — five years on from his cardiac arrest at Euro 2020 — has renewed uncertainty about his future in football.
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Tomasi Cama exits All Blacks Sevens after 20 years as player and head coach
Tomasi Cama is leaving his role as All Blacks Sevens head coach at the end of the 2025-26 World Series campaign, closing a 20-year association with New Zealand Rugby that began when he debuted as a player in 2005.
Rugby -
Ex-Aston Villa midfielder Jota's wife ends marriage over alleged infidelity
Ajla Etemovic, wife of former Aston Villa and Birmingham City midfielder Jota, has announced the end of their 2024 marriage, alleging the retired Spanish footballer was unfaithful during their relationship.
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Burns submits Monteiro at UFC BJJ 9 and calls out nine grappling opponents
Less than two months after retiring from MMA, Gilbert Burns made a winning return to competition at UFC BJJ 9 on Thursday, submitting Horlando Monteiro by rear-naked choke in 1:22 and immediately calling out a string of potential grappling opponents.
MMA -
Gilbert Burns submits Horlando Monteiro in 82 seconds on BJJ return
Gilbert Burns made an emphatic return to competitive jiu-jitsu at UFC BJJ 9 in Las Vegas on Thursday, submitting Horlando Monteiro via rear-naked choke in just 82 seconds. Bella Mir also impressed, improving to 3-0 under the UFC BJJ banner with a third-round armbar finish over Nichelle Johnson.
MMA -
Perry, Lund and Blackburn to retire as Gloucester Hartpury era ends for trio
Prop Ellena Perry, who represented both England and Ireland across her career, will retire at the end of the 2025/26 Premiership Women's Rugby season alongside club stalwart Rachel Lund and 19-cap England scrum-half Bianca Blackburn.
Rugby -
McMahon, Tuttosi and five others confirmed as Exeter Chiefs Women's departures
Former Ireland captain Edel McMahon and Canada hooker Emily Tuttosi headline a group of seven players leaving Exeter Chiefs Women at the end of the 2025/26 Premiership Women's Rugby season. McMahon has missed the entire campaign following double knee surgery, while Tuttosi returns to Canada to pursue a coaching career.
Rugby
