We take a look at five former top-flight rugby players who are somehow still lacing up their boots most weekend's.
#1. Tom Varndell
Oxford Harlequins welcomed the former premiership record try scorer who will take on a dual role combining his rugby management career with his exceptional rugby talent.
Varndell has agreed to assume the position of Head of Rugby at Oxford Brookes University, which has close links to Oxford Harlequins.
In addition to his management role, he will also become the Head of Community at the club, while still playing for the team.
Marcus Boswell, the student sport manager at Oxford Brookes had the following to say about their star capture;
“To secure someone of Tom’s calibre, as a coach and a mentor, is of great excitement for both our current and prospective students who are looking to play rugby union,
“It goes without saying that the relationship between Oxford Brookes and Oxford Quins continues to go from strength to strength, and this announcement is another indication of that.
“We will continue to work hard in all areas of our sporting delivery and wider area of activity together, and reap the successes both on and off the pitch for our student athletes.”
#2. Sean O'Brien
The former Ireland and Lions flanker returned to Leinster, this summer, to take up a coaching role with a side he won multiple league and European titles with O'Brien.
However, he just couldn't stay retired, making his rugby comeback with Naas RFC.
O'Brien had been seeking to play for his club, Tullow, when he returned from his professional rugby stint in England, with London Irish.
That move to a junior-level side was prevented when the domestic level section of the Leinster Rugby branch stated it would be going against safety guidelines for a just retired professional to immediately drop down to play at that level.
#3. Joe Simpson
Simpson joined seventh tier Old Priorians in February, and made his debut for the Saints the following weekend against London Sussex.
The scrum-half - who made 230 appearances for Wasps in the Premiership (along with spells for Gloucester, Bath and Sale) and played for England at the 2011 World Cup - retired from the professional game in December 2022 and follows his brother Michael in pulling on the OPs shirt.
#4. Mike Tindall
England legend and World Cup winner Tindall plays a selection of matches for Minchinhampton, the club close to his home.
The centre played outside centre for Bath and Gloucester, and won 75 caps for England between 2000 and 2011. He was a member of the England squad which won the 2003 World Cup.
#5. Shane Williams
The Wales legend made a return to Welsh rugby in 2017, coming out of retirement to play for his beloved Amman United. The former Wales and British Lions star stunned spectators as he took the field for his home town side in the National League 3 West B match against Burry Port. He then played for them in a final at the Millenium Stadium. He's since played a further handful of games for the club.
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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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