6. Stephen Ferris
Ulster, Ireland and British & Irish Lions back rower Stephen Ferris confirmed that he was to retire from rugby, following a long battle with injury in June 2014.
Ferris won 35 caps for Ireland and made 106 appearances for Ulster. The 28-year-old represented the national team at the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand and played in all five games of Ireland’s 2009 Grand Slam success.
That same year he was selected for the British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa and scored two tries before injury prevented him from claiming a Test place.
He won his last cap for Ireland against England in the RBS 6 Nations in March 2012.