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18 incredible rugby players who retired this year

It’s almost enough to fill a squad for the greatest charity match ever.

IT WAS A year when we clapped some incredible players off the field one last time.

Some went after a long illustrious career, but some went long before their time. We salute these 18.

Stephen Ferris

Stephen Ferris Presseye / Matt Mackey/INPHO Presseye / Matt Mackey/INPHO / Matt Mackey/INPHO

Niall Ronan

Aled Walters and Niall Ronan James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Maggie Alphonsi

Rugby Union - IRB Women's World Cup - Day One - Pool B - England v Ireland - Surrey Sports Park Andrew Matthews Andrew Matthews

Dan Parks

Dan Parks leaves the field after his final home game James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Mike Tindall

Rugby Union - Mike Tindall Filer David Davies David Davies

Johann Muller

Johann Muller says farewell to the fans at Ravenhill Presseye / Darren Kidd/INPHO Presseye / Darren Kidd/INPHO / Darren Kidd/INPHO

Fiona Coghlan

Fiona Coghlan celebrates with her family Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Leo Cullen…

…and the other fella.

Leo Cullen and Brian O'Driscoll celebrates after the game James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Craig Clarke

Craig Clarke James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Dimitri Yachvili

France Rugby Six Nations AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Steve Borthwick

Rugby Union - Aviva Premiership Grand Final - Saracens v Northampton Saints - Twickenham Joe Giddens Joe Giddens

Lynne Cantwell

Lynne Cantwell and Philip Doyle Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Paddy Wallace

Sebastian Chabal

France Tennis French Open Michel Spingler Michel Spingler

Andrew Sheridan

New Zealand WCUP Rugby World Cup England Alastair Grant Alastair Grant

Jonny Wilkinson

France Top 14 Final Rugby Jacques Brinon Jacques Brinon

Gavin Duffy

MunsterÕs Paul O'Connell with Gavin Duffy radio Inpho / Billy Stickland Inpho / Billy Stickland / Billy Stickland

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Author
Sean Farrell
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