Harlequins hooker Rob Buchanan has announced he will call time on his playing career eight years after making his debut for the London club.
His next role is at T&G Wholesale Meats as an operations manager.
The 29-year-old, who was born in Hong Kong, represented England U20 and England Saxons. He was also invited to a training camp with the senior England squad by Eddie Jones in 2017.
Buchanan was a replacement for Harlequins in their 2011–12 Premiership final victory over Leicester Tigers.
Announcing his retirement, Buchanan said: “I’d like to thank my family, friends, team mates, all the staff, and of course the fans who have been by my side throughout my time at the Club, I wouldn’t have had such a special and amazing journey without all of you.
“I’m excited to get stuck into my next chapter with T&G. My time as a player at the Club may have come to an end, but I will still be at games to cheer on the lads.”
JOIN THE RUCK:
Paying tribute to his teammate and close friend, fellow Quins front row Will Collier said: “I’ve been lucky enough to know Rob for over 15 years and I have never heard anyone say a bad word about him.
“He’s the nicest, friendliest guy you could meet off the field and one of the most physical and aggressive on it.
“He was the perfect teammate, always there to help you along in the bad times and always there to celebrate the good times as well. I know he will be missed by every member of the squad and I also know he’ll be successful in his next chapter.”
LIST | 5 hilarious Jason Leonard stories
England legend Jason Leonard has told many great stories down the years.
Here are some of our favourites.
1. 'I didn't do it'
Just before we headed out to the 1995 World Cup in South Africa, all the players agreed on a booze ban when coach Jack Rowell discovered that someone had come in at 2am. He accused me at training the next day and I flatly denied it. As I told Martin Bayfield standing next to me: "It couldn't have been me Bayf - I didn't get in until 4am." Poor Bayf just burst out laughing.
2. Origins of Fun Bus
Coming back from injury, Leonard was called up for an England tour to South Africa 1993 despite putting on a bit of weight. We had these big cotton shirts, which were bright red and looked skin tight on me. Martin Bayfield, because of my London accent and the red shirt, thought I looked like a big red bus, hense 'fun bus'.
3. Argentina tour
Extract from Jason Leonard's autobiogaphy.
4. His funniest stories
In this video, he picks a couple involving Australasia's Prime Minister and the late, great Nelson Mandela.
5. 28 pints
Prop Jason Leonard noted that he had 28 pints of lager and when the astounded, part-time nutritionist asked just exactly he was up to each week to consume 28 pints, he was met with a confused look. "That's 28 pints on the Saturday and eight to settle the head on Sunday," Leonard replied.
Jason Leonard’s Drinking XV | Legend picks his top boozers
England legend Jason Leonard has picked his drinking XV of players from down the years that he'd want with him for long sessions and it's brilliant.
Although he did make sure to pick a designated driver, which we say is VERY sensible.
Gavin Hastings (Full-back, Scotland)
Rory Underwood (Wing and designated driver, England)
Jerry Guscott (Centre, England)
Jerry Guscott (Centre, England)
Scott Gibbs (Centre, Wales)
Scott Hastings (Wing, Scotland)
Stuart Barnes (Outside-half, England)
Robert Jones (Scrum-half, Wales. Replaced at half-time by Dewi Morris, England)
Scott Hastings (Wing, Scotland)
Stuart Barnes (Outside-half, England)
Robert Jones (Scrum-half, Wales. Replaced at half-time by Dewi Morris, England)
Paul Rendall (Prop, England)
Brian Moore (Hooker, England)
Brian Moore (Hooker, England)
Jeff Probyn (Prop, England)
Wade Dooley (Lock, England)
Norm Hadley (Lock, Canada)
Peter Winterbottom (Flanker, England)
Dean Richards (No8, England)
Wade Dooley (Lock, England)
Norm Hadley (Lock, Canada)
Peter Winterbottom (Flanker, England)
Dean Richards (No8, England)
Mickey Skinner (Flanker, England)
