In this list, we take a look at four superstars who have either confirmed they are retiring, or in some cases have teased potentially hanging up their boots in 2022.
#1. Louis Picamoles (France)
The former France No.8 has announced that he will retire from rugby at the end of the season. The 35-year-old scored ten Test tries for France, the last of which came against Wales in the 2019 Guinness Six Nations.
With 82 caps, he is level with Imanol Harinordoquy, his long-time rival for the No.8 jersey, as France’s tenth most capped player of all time.
He said: “I saw Christophe (Urios – the Bordeaux-Bègles coach) a few days ago to speak to him. The coach said he thought I looked good but I didn’t want to take the risk of doing a season too many.
“He understood. I will be 36 in February, my body and my head agree that now is the time. I’ve also found what I want to do afterwards. With my wife Maïlis, we want to start an organic goat farm and it’s time to start that project.”