Hanging up the boots.

There’s no better stage bow out than the Rugby World Cup. It’s the absolute pinnacle of rugby. Every single professional dreams of representing their country on the world’s stage and once you have achieved that goal you can safely hang up your boots knowing you’ve made it in the game.

Japan 2019 saw South Africa crowned world champions for a record-equalling third time but it also brought the curtain down on the international careers of some of the greatest players we have ever seen play the game.

Australi’s Will Genia and David Pocock bid farewell as did Ireland captain Rory Best and All Blacks skipper Kieran Read. France also lost their captain with hooker Guilhem Guirado calling it a day in terms of his Test career.

Another French legend in Louis Picamoles has also bowed out, as have New Zealand legends Ryan Crotty, Sonny Bill Williams and Ben Smith. Scotland were also hit hard post-World Cup, losing the services of veterans John Barclay, Greig Laidlaw and Tommy Seymour.

Here’s the list in full. An incredible array of talent.

POST-RWC 2019 RETIREES

ARGENTINA
Juan Manuel Leguizamon (2005-19), 87 caps. Age: 36
Juan Figallo (2010-19), 33 caps. Age: 31

AUSTRALIA
Will Genia (2009-19), 110 caps. Age: 31
Sekope Kepu (2008-19), 110 caps. Age: 33
David Pocock (2008-19), 83 caps. Age: 31

CANADA
DTH van der Merwe (2006-19), 61 caps. Age: 33

Inpho

FRANCE
Guilhem Guirado (2008-19), 74 caps. Age: 33
Louis Picamoles (2008-19), 82 caps. Age: 33
Sébastien Vahaamahina (2012-19), 46 caps. Age: 28

GEORGIA
Mamuka Gorgodze (2003-19), 75 caps. Age: 35

IRELAND
Rory Best (2005-19), 124 caps. Age: 37

JAPAN
Kenki Fukuoka (2013-19), 38 caps. Age; 27

NEW ZEALAND
Ryan Crotty (2013-19), 48 caps. Age: 31
Kieran Read (2008-19), 127 caps. Age: 34
Ben Smith (2009-19), 84 caps. Age: 33
Sonny Bill Williams (2010-19), 58 caps. Age: 34

RUSSIA
Igor Galinovskiy (2006-19), 50 caps. Age: 34

SCOTLAND
John Barclay (2007-19), 76 caps. Age: 33
Greig Laidlaw (2010-19), 76 caps. Age: 34
Tommy Seymour (2013-19), 55 caps. Age: 31

SOUTH AFRICA
Schalk Brits (2008-19), 15 caps. Age: 38
Tendai Mtawarira (2008-19), 117 caps. Age: 34

TONGA
Siale Piutau (2011-19), 43 caps. Age: 34
Sione Kalamafoni (2007-19), 37 caps. Age: 31

USA
John Quill (2012-19), 37 caps. Age: 29