Former England, Bath and Exeter Chiefs centre Ollie Devoto has announced his retirement from professional rugby.
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Devoto earned two England caps and won two Premiership titles with Exeter Chiefs, along with the 2020 Champions Cup, during an eight-year spell at Sandy Park.
He made his England Test debut in May 2016, coming off the bench in a 27-13 victory over Wales at Twickenham.
The following month, Devoto was selected for the England A tour of South Africa and crossed for a try in the opening match as England claimed a series win over the Springboks.
After Joe Marchant was ruled out of England’s 2017 tour of Argentina with a toe injury, Devoto was called up as a replacement but did not feature.
His second and final England appearance came as a substitute in the opening game of the 2020 Six Nations, a defeat to France.
He was also named among the replacements for the following match against Scotland at Murrayfield but was not called into action as England went on to lift the title.
The 32-year-old spent the past two seasons with Major League Rugby side Chicago Hounds in the United States. During his final campaign, he made eight appearances, including the MLR final, where the Hounds defeated California Legion.
“For me and my family it’s probably the right decision to call it a day,” Devoto told BBC Radio Somerset.
“I’d thought about it for the last couple of years since leaving Exeter.
“I’m really grateful for the opportunity to go out to America. It’s something I’ve never experienced before and to take the family out was very special.”
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The five biggest retirements of the season
The end of the season has brought the curtain down on the careers of several of rugby’s biggest names. From World Cup finalists and Six Nations champions to club legends and fan favourites, these players have left a lasting mark on the game.
Here are some of the most notable retirements.
Joe Launchbury
England, Wasps and Harlequins lock Joe Launchbury announced in April he will retire from rugby at the end of the season.
The 70-cap former England international made his professional debut for Wasps in 2011 and spent more than a decade at the club before a brief spell in Japan. He later returned to England to join Harlequins.
Launchbury was first called up by England in 2012 and made his Test debut as a replacement in a 54-12 victory over Fiji. He went on to feature in all four Autumn Internationals that year, including starting the memorable 38-21 win over New Zealand.
The second row won three Guinness Six Nations titles during his international career, including the Grand Slam in 2016, and also helped England reach the 2019 Rugby World Cup final.
“It’s a career I look back on with hugely fond memories, I’ve loved every minute of it,” said Launchbury.
Duncan Weir
Glasgow Warriors stalwart Duncan Weir is to “step back” from playing to take up an academy coaching role at the club, having confirmed it in December.
The former Scotland fly-half, 34, won the Pro12 title with Glasgow Warriors and made more than 150 appearances across two spells with the club.
Weir was “really excited” for his new role, telling the Warriors website: “I’m really looking forward to working with Nick, who’s bringing so much experience over from Australia, and with Shade, who I’ve obviously known for a long time.
“Having such a solid foundation is going to serve me well in the new role, and is going to serve Glasgow Warriors well long term.”
