"Goodbye" - Five players who won't play international rugby again after World Cup elimination

Ireland's hopes of World Cup glory were dashed by New Zealand, marking the second consecutive tournament in which the All Blacks triumphed over them in the quarter-finals.

This victory paved the way for a semi-final clash with Argentina, who eliminated Wales.

In the following section, we will highlight five players who are expected to either retire from international rugby altogether or not feature for their national teams in the future.

Sexton will now retire as Ireland's record points scorer but he could not lead his side to a first last-four tie.

"You've got to work hard for fairytale endings and we didn't get it but that's life," said an emotional Sexton.

The fly-half is now set to leave rugby behind for a brand new career.

Sexton said: "coaching would inevitably alter the dynamic between me and my fellow players. So, coaching is not in my foreseeable future."

"Rugby has been my lifelong passion, a part of me for two decades or even longer, going back to my childhood. Yet, I believe it's essential to step away from it and explore new avenues in life. Only time will reveal what the future holds."

“I’ll go and see if I can do something in the business world, I’ve been doing a bit of work experience there over the last few years, one day a week, so I’ll go into that and see how it goes.

“It might not be for me. I might get the itch straight away and come out of retirement, play for St Marys!”

The previous year saw a significant rise in accumulated profits at the management company owned by Johnny Sexton, the renowned rugby captain of Ireland.

The profits surged by nearly £307,000, reaching an impressive total of almost £2.5m.

Biggar's final appearance in the Welsh jersey marks the end of an era, leaving an indelible legacy as one of the finest to ever grace the No.10 position.

Hailing from Gorseinon, this tenacious individual fearlessly embraced the challenges and expectations that accompanied his role as Wales' fly-half. He charted his unique path and remained unwavering in his approach.

While he continues to ply his trade with Toulon in the sunny climes of southern France, he'll henceforth be spectating Test rugby from the comfort of his own sofa.

Biggar's departure leaves a young core within the Welsh squad, entrusted with the responsibility of steering the team towards the Rugby World Cup in four years' time.

It was believed that the 36-year-old Earls, who commenced the tournament by earning his 101st cap in the opening pool game against Romania but hasn't featured in the match-day 23 since, would make a similar decision. Speaking after the match, head coach Andy Farrell confirmed the Limerick man’s choice.

"I think the sad thing for us now is that for this group it's probably the end," he told RTÉ Sport.

Earls made his Ireland debut against Canada in 2008 at Thomond Park, where he scored a try just two minutes into his international career with his first touch of the ball.

Another 35 tries would follow, and the Myross flyer started every game during Ireland’s 2018 grand slam campaign, with injury robbing him of involvement in this year’s side that also managed the clean sweep in the Six Nations.

Lydiate made the return to his first professional club and Rodney Parade in the Summer of 2023 signing for Dragons ahead of the 2023/2024 season. Lydiate played 85 times for the Men of Gwent between 2006 and 2013 – captaining the club on a number of occasions before a move to France, joining Racing 92. Lydiate made 19 appearances in just over a season in Paris befoe he joined the Ospreys in the Autumn of the 2014/2015 season. The hard tackling Lydiate spent nine seasons in Swansea making 91 appearances before making the move back home to Dragons.

The hugely talented and driven 35-year-old – who stands 6ft 4in tall and weighs 18st 1lbs - has won 69 caps for Wales, as of June 2023, during a glittering career and featured in both the 2011, 2015 Rugby World Cups and was recently named in the preliminary World Cup squad for Wales ahead of the 2023 edition. Lydiate’s first appearance for Wales came in November 2009 against Argentina at the Principality Stadium. He made his RBS Six Nations debut in 2011 and went onto make five appearances in that year’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

Williams insists he's had no conversations about ending his Wales career after the World Cup. However, the 32-year-old revealed he won't be able to play in next year's Six Nations after moving to Japan.

He has signed for Kubota Spears and will head to Japan after the conclusion of the tournament in France. He admitted one of the reasons for leaving Wales is the ongoing financial climate that has seen players' salaries slashed and some still left without contracts, including members of Warren Gatland's training squad.

"I haven't really spoken to Gats about that [his international future] to be honest," Williams told the BBC. "I spoke to him about leaving and going to Japan, and he was OK with that. I won't be able to play in the Six Nations next year, though.

"Some boys in this training camp still don't have contracts. It's a joke and probably one of the reasons I have left. A hundred caps does not pay the mortgage. I am 32 now and have two or three years left, and you need to maximize your earnings in this profession because it is a short career.

"So I am very grateful to be in the position I am when I know some of the guys are working so hard but don't have jobs currently."