Gareth Davies Announces Retirement from Welsh Rugby

Welsh rugby player Gareth Davies has officially announced his retirement from international rugby at the age of 34. Over the course of a distinguished career, the Scarlets scrum-half earned 77 caps representing Wales and participated in two tours with the British and Irish Lions.

Davies began his international career in 2014 in a test match against South Africa. Throughout his journey, he has been instrumental in several significant victories for Wales, including the Six Nations Grand Slam victory in 2019 and the Six Nations title in 2021. One of his most memorable moments on the field was during the 2015 World Cup when he scored a decisive try against England, which impacted the host nation’s early tournament exit.

The decision to retire precedes the announcement of Wales’ squad for the upcoming 2024 autumn tests against Fiji, Australia, and South Africa, led by Wales coach Warren Gatland. Davies played his final match for Wales in a 36-35 victory against the Queensland Reds in July, an uncapped fixture held at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, where he served as captain.

Announcing his decision on social media, Davies expressed his gratitude: “I’ve decided that, after 10 incredible years playing for Wales, I am retiring from international rugby. It was my childhood dream to represent my country and I have loved every moment in a Wales jersey.” He added thanks to his family, his wife Katy, friends, and fans for their support.

Wales coach Warren Gatland paid tribute to Davies’ contributions, highlighting his dedication and notable performances. Gatland remarked, “Gareth has been a great player for Wales over the last decade and he has always given everything in the red jersey. There have been some really memorable moments, like his tries against England in the World Cup in 2015 and against Australia in the 2019 and 2023 World Cups.”

At the regional level, Davies continues to impress as he recently scored two tries for the Scarlets in a match against Cardiff in the United Rugby Championship. Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel spoke highly of Davies’ impact at both international and club levels, stating, “He has been superb for us in the opening weeks of the season and still has a lot to offer us in terms of both playing and his leadership role here.”

Gareth Davies looks forward to focusing on his club career, as he plans to continue contributing to the sport and the Scarlets’ efforts in domestic competitions.