The great players hanging up the boots after the 2023 Rugby World Cup
A who's who of world rugby departs the Test arena
Some of the true greats of the game are hanging up the boots after the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
Scroll on to see 16 of the biggest name retirees - they would make a pretty handy team!
Uini Atonio (France)
France prop Uini Atonio is one of world rugby's biggest men, tipping the scales at 145kg.
The 33-year-old was born in Timaru - a small town in New Zealand's South Island - and represented Samoa at under-20 level before moving to France to play his club rugby.
Atonio played 58 Tests for France and his scrummaging power was a key component of their recent Six Nations success.
Stuart McInally (Scotland)
Scotland hooker Stuart McInally had a rollercoaster end to his Test career in 2023.
The former captain was cut ahead of the Rugby World Cup but got a bizarre lifeline when Dave Cherry fell down stairs at the team hotel.
There was no fairytale, however, as McInally then suffered his own neck injury in training and was ruled out of the tournament.
Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)
Nicknamed 'Guzzler,' Brodie Retallick formed one of the great lock pairings alongside Sam Whitelock
Retallick played his 109th Test in the Rugby World Cup final against South Africa.
The 32-year-old is now moving to Japan to play for the Kobelco Steelers.
Jonny May (England)
Best known for his outrageous swan dives in the act of scoring, England winger Jonny May will be missed for adding a bit of flair to an otherwise conservative team.
The 33-year-old scored 36 tries in 78 Tests.
"I just feel like I am at peace with how my international career has gone."
Aaron Smith (New Zealand)
One of the greatest players of the 21st century, Aaron Smith's bullet pass and competitive spirit will linger in the memory.
Smith was a key member of the 2015 Rugby World Cup winning team and regularly led the haka in recent years.
The halfback played 125 Tests and will also finish his career in Japan.
Romain Taofifenua (France)
Another France man mountain, Romain Taofifenua used his 135kg frame to good effect across 49 Tests.
The lock played his last match in the heartbreaking Rugby World Cup quarter-final loss to South Africa in Paris.
Keith Earls (Ireland)
An old school winger, Keith Earls relied on instincts and footwork instead of brute strength or blazing speed to do his damage.
The 36-year-old scored 36 tries in 101 Tests, ranking him second behind only the great Brian O'Driscoll (46) in Ireland's all-time list.
Ben Youngs (England)
Ben Youngs bowed out a winner with England with victory over Argentina in the Rugby World Cup bronze final.
The halfback played 127 Tests for England and made his debut in 2010 as a replacement on the wing for Ugo Monye.
Duane Vermeulen (South Africa)
The 37-year-old Springboks hard man bows out as a dual Rugby World Cup winner.
The No.8 was man of the match in the 2019 final and overcame multiple injuries to again shine in France 2023.
Vermeulen has been tipped to finish his club career with the Stormers.
