5. Richard Mustoe – Funeral Director
The former Cardiff Blues, Ospreys, and Newport Gwent Dragons winger made one of the most solemn career pivots in sports history. While still playing professional rugby, Mustoe began training in the deathcare industry. Upon retirement, he moved into the profession full-time as a fully qualified funeral director, managing wakes and funeral arrangements.
DID YOU KNOW: Richard Mustoe earned international honours with the Wales Sevens team.
6. Olly Kohn – Artisanal Sausage Maker
After an injury forced the Harlequins and Wales lock to retire in 2013, Kohn turned a quirky hobby into a business. Having experimented with a sausage-making machine in his flat, he teamed up with his brothers to launch The Jolly Hog. They transitioned from cooking premium, artisanal bangers outside Twickenham Stadium to stocking major supermarkets nationwide.
DID YOU KNOW: Kohn won the Premiership with Harlequins in 2011-12, starting in the final against Leicester Tigers.
7. Jerry Sexton – Policeman
Former professional rugby player Jerry Sexton has swapped the second row for the police force following the end of his playing career.
The younger brother of Ireland legend Johnny Sexton, Jerry carved out his own career in the professional game, playing in England and France during a well-travelled spell as a lock.
His clubs included London Irish and Exeter Chiefs, while he also spent time in France with Auch and later represented Jersey Reds in the Championship.
Sexton’s rugby career came to an end following Jersey Reds’ financial collapse in 2023, which left the club’s players and staff without jobs just months after they had won the Championship title.
Rather than remaining in professional rugby, Sexton embarked on a dramatic career change and joined the police.
It’s certainly a world away from packing down in the second row – and makes Sexton’s post-rugby career one of the more unexpected on this list.
8. Gérard Bertrand – Master Winemaker
Before he was a global wine icon, Bertrand was a fierce French rugby union flanker and captain of RC Narbonne. Following the tragic death of his father, he took over the family’s estate. He completely revolutionized the vineyards to build the globally famous Gérard Bertrand wine company, becoming one of the most renowned organic winemakers in the South of France.
DID YOU KNOW? In 2013, Bertrand was awarded the title of Red Winemaker of the Year 2012 in the International Wine Challenge.
9. Finn Russell – Stonemason
While currently a world-class fly-half for Scotland and Bath, Russell spent his formative years working in a cold manual trade. For three years after secondary school, he worked as a fully apprenticed stonemason, earning £300 a week for three years. He spent his days in freezing sheds cutting windowsills, building stone walls, and crafting fireplaces before hitting the big leagues. The self-declared Lionel Messi of Rugby has not yet hinted at plying his trade once hanging up his mercurial boots, but only time will tell for the resident Scottish maverick.
DID YOU KNOW? Russell made his international debut against the United States in 2014, and has since played over eighty test matches for Scotland.
10. Jonny Murphy – Artisan Baker
The former Ulster, Connacht, and Rotherham Titans hooker was forced to retire from professional rugby due to a series of severe concussions. Instead of staying in sports management, he turned his creative focus entirely to the kitchen. Today, he is widely celebrated as an artisan baker, pastry creator, and culinary content creator known across social media platforms as the “Hungry Hooker”. He creates high-end sweet and savory baked goods, running specialized workshops and cookery events.
DID YOU KNOW? Murphy has represented Ireland internationally at age group level. He was part of the Irish under-18s in 2009 and 2010.
