World Cup winner and former England star Kat Merchant has completely transformed her body after retiring from rugby union.
The winger, who scored 44 tries in 58 appearances for England, retired in September 2014 with immediate effect on medical grounds as she had taken a number of concussions.
She wrote on Twitter: "Owning it. At the risk of being called ‘masculine’ I’m proud of my physique and want to encourage women that strength is still ‘feminine’"
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LIST | Rugby internationals who lost a ton of weight in retirement
Below is a look at five players who lost a ton of weight after their rugby union careers ended.
1. Phil Vickery (England)
The World Cup-winning prop has transformed his body since hanging up his boots. Vickery, who won the 2011 series of Celebrity Masterchef, has recently opened his new Cheltenham restaurant, No.3, after the Coronavirus pandemic delayed first orders. He's literally half the man he used to be.
2. Matt Dunning (Australia)
When he was a prop for the Wallabies Matt Dunning weighed 130kg and was constantly mocked for his tubby frame. But since retiring from rugby union the 35-year-old has lost a staggering 40kg, dropping from 25 per cent body fat to just 11 per cent in six months.
3. James Haskell (England)
The former England flanker - who signed for MMA promotion Bellator last August - after his retirement from rugby has dropped a ton of weight ahead of his first fight. A trip into I'm A Celebrity Get Me out Of here sure did help him get lean. This sort of diet isn't recommended.
4. Lee Mears (England)
The former Bath and England international rugby player retired from the game due to a life-threatening heart condition. Trying to stay healthy has since became a priority and it's fair to say he's looking amazing!
