Retirement
Player retiring from competition.
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Cath O'Donnell retires at 30 after injuries end 30-cap Red Roses career
England lock Cath O'Donnell has retired from rugby at 30, citing a catalogue of serious injuries including ACL tears, ankle reconstructions and a broken femur across a 30-cap international career that included a 2021 Rugby World Cup final.
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Matt Brown rallies behind Dustin Poirier after Atlanta airport arrest
UFC veteran Matt Brown has publicly defended retired star Dustin Poirier following his misdemeanour arrest for public drunkenness at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, urging fans not to let 'one night define' the former interim champion.
MMA -
Manuel Neuer retires from international football after Germany's World Cup exit on penalties
Manuel Neuer has confirmed his second and final retirement from international football after Germany were eliminated from the World Cup in the last 32, losing on penalties following a 120-minute draw with Paraguay. The 40-year-old ends a 16-year international career as Germany's fifth-highest appearance-maker.
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Manuel Neuer retires from international football again after Germany's World Cup penalty exit
Manuel Neuer, 40, has confirmed his second international retirement after Germany were eliminated by Paraguay on penalties at the World Cup. The Bayern Munich goalkeeper, who had been persuaded out of retirement to play the tournament, ends his international career with 128 caps.
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Matt Brown backs Dustin Poirier to recover after arrest and post-retirement struggles
Dustin Poirier was arrested for public drunkenness at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Airport after challenging a police officer to a fight, with bodycam footage capturing the incident. Fellow retired UFC veteran Matt Brown has urged Poirier to own the moment and move forward, insisting one bad night should not define his legacy.
MMA -
Danny Simpson ends retirement to join Dubai club as player-coach alongside Shelvey and Morrison
Danny Simpson, who won the Premier League with Leicester City in 2016, has come out of retirement at 39 to sign for UAE Second Division side Arabian Falcons as a player-coach under manager Jonjo Shelvey.
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Ariane Lipski da Silva retires from MMA at 32 after 13 years and 30 professional fights
Ariane Lipski da Silva has announced her retirement from MMA following a first-round submission loss to Jena Bishop at PFL San Diego. The Brazilian flyweight, known as 'The Queen of Violence', ends her career with an 18-12 record after nearly 13 years as a professional.
MMA -
Packer scores twice and lifts trophy in perfect Saracens farewell before Harlequins move
Marlie Packer ended her nine-year Saracens career in style, crossing the whitewash twice as the North London side demolished Trailfinders Women 52-14 to claim their fourth Premiership Women's Rugby title at the Twickenham Stoop.
Rugby -
Jon Jones backs Dustin Poirier after airport arrest: 'We've all been drunk'
Jon Jones has publicly defended Dustin Poirier following the retired UFC star's arrest for public drunkenness at an Atlanta airport on Father's Day weekend, urging him to forgive himself and keep moving forward.
MMA -
Ariane Lipski da Silva retires after 13 years and 30 fights across UFC, KSW and PFL
Ariane Lipski da Silva, the Brazilian flyweight known as 'The Queen of Violence', has announced her retirement from MMA at 32 following a first-round submission loss to Jena Bishop at PFL San Diego. She finishes with an 18-12 professional record.
MMA -
France 1998 World Cup winner Guivarc'h left football at 31 to sell swimming pools
Stéphane Guivarc'h was a key figure in France's iconic 1998 World Cup triumph but walked away from football at 31 to become a swimming pool salesman, cutting ties with many former teammates in the process.
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Tandy hails 'brilliant hit-out' as Wales edge Barbarians 33-31 and North bids farewell with two tries
Wales head coach Steve Tandy praised a hard-fought 33-31 win over the Barbarians as ideal preparation for their Nations Championship opener against Fiji, while George North marked an emotional final appearance with two second-half tries.
Rugby -
Scottish rugby greats gather in Edinburgh to celebrate the life of Scott Hastings
Hundreds of players, family, and friends gathered at George Watson's College in Edinburgh to honour British and Irish Lions centre Scott Hastings, who died on 17 May aged 61 following complications from cancer treatment.
Rugby -
Wales edge Barbarians 33-31 as George North scores twice in farewell appearance
Wales secured back-to-back victories for the first time since the 2023 Rugby World Cup with a 33-31 win over the Barbarians at Allianz Stadium, as retiring George North signed off with a try double against the nation he represented 121 times.
Rugby -
Jones urges retired Poirier to stay busy after airport arrest and alcohol admission
Jon Jones has publicly backed Dustin Poirier following his arrest at Atlanta airport for public drunkenness, urging his fellow retired fighter to keep occupied and praising him for openly acknowledging he needs help with alcohol.
MMA -
McKee sets 35-year retirement deadline as PFL featherweight title hunt continues
A.J. McKee says he plans to retire at 35, giving himself roughly four more years in MMA, unless exceptional money changes his mind. The former Bellator champion headlines PFL San Diego against undefeated prospect Salamat Isbulaev on Saturday.
MMA -
Ruby Tui returns for Barbarians after year away but keeps future plans open
Ruby Tui lines up for the Barbarians against Wales on Saturday in what she calls her first 'public appearance' in almost a year, after being left out of New Zealand's Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 squad. The 34-year-old wing says she will decide on her next move only after stepping back onto the pitch.
Rugby -
Grand Slam architect Philip Doyle, trailblazer for Ireland Women's rugby, dies at 61
Philip Doyle, the coach who guided Ireland Women to a Six Nations Grand Slam in 2013 and their first-ever victory over the Black Ferns at the 2014 Rugby World Cup, has died aged 61. Blackrock College RFC, where he played and coached for decades, announced his passing.
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Patrik Schick retires from international football hours after Czechia's World Cup exit
Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick announced his international retirement on Thursday, just hours after Czechia were eliminated from the 2026 World Cup following a 3-0 defeat to co-hosts Mexico.
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Carys Phillips becomes first daughter to follow father into Barbarians history
Wales hooker Carys Phillips has been named in the Barbarians squad to face Wales at Allianz Stadium on Saturday, making her and her father Rowland the first father-daughter pair to represent the famous invitational side.
Rugby
