Sam Warburton celebrates his 38th birthday today, more than eight years after injuries forced the Wales and British & Irish Lions legend into an early retirement.
The former flanker was just 29 when he announced he was hanging up his boots in July 2018.
Warburton had undergone neck and knee surgery and attempted to return to training, but his body could no longer cope with the demands of professional rugby.
He finished with 74 Wales caps and had already captained the Lions on two tours, including their famous drawn series against New Zealand in 2017.
Life now looks very different.
New career
Warburton has become one of rugby's most recognisable pundits since retiring.
He has worked extensively across major international and club rugby coverage, while also remaining involved in the sport behind the scenes.
Warburton previously joined Wayne Pivac's Wales coaching team as a technical adviser, focusing on the breakdown and defence.
He has also been involved with Cardiff Rugby, returning to the club's board in 2023.
Family life
Away from rugby, Warburton is married to long-term partner Rachel.
The pair married in 2014 and have since started a family together.
Their daughter Anna Victoria was born in 2016 before they welcomed son Max in 2020. Warburton has since confirmed he is now a father of three.
Football has even created some friendly family rivalry.
Warburton is a Tottenham supporter, while his father-in-law has attempted to turn Max into a Cardiff City fan.
“My father-in-law has been giving him Cardiff City shirts while myself and my dad are obviously giving him Spurs kits every Christmas,” Warburton once joked.
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Fitness business
Warburton has also turned his passion for training into a successful business.
In 2019, he co-founded SW7 Academy with long-time friend Josh Davies.
The idea was to take the knowledge Warburton gained from years working with elite coaches and make it accessible outside professional sport.
The name combines Warburton's initials with the number seven – the position he famously wore throughout his career.
It has since developed beyond rugby-specific programmes into strength, conditioning and general fitness.
Forced to retire at 29
Warburton's retirement remains one of rugby's biggest “what ifs”.
He was still only 29 and could potentially have had another World Cup and Lions tour ahead of him.
However, persistent injury problems eventually made the decision for him.
As BBC Sport reported at the time, Warburton said his body was unable to give him what he had hoped for following his return to training.
Rather than continue below the standards he had set throughout his career, Warburton walked away.
Eight years later, his life revolves around family, television, business and fitness – a very different world from captaining Wales and the Lions.
