Scotland and Lions defender Stuart Hogg made a surprise announcement that he would retire from rugby following this autumn’s Rugby World Cup.

The 30-year-old defender, who will turn 31 after the World Cup in France, impressed throughout and says he couldn’t have asked for more from a rugby career, having represented Scotland 100 times and played three tours. . of British and Irish lions.

The reason for the retirement is the wear and tear on his body, and that comes more than a decade after the then 19-year-old made his international debut. He became one of the biggest attacking threats at home and in the British Isles, becoming a rugby rock star in the process. Having spent three years on the test stage before joining Finn Russell, it was Hogg who for a time carried the burden of creative expectations.

We take a look at Hogg’s history, some of his best and most memorable moments and where he could turn after rugby:

Stuart Hogg full retirement announcement

In a statement he said: “As a boy all I wanted to do was play rugby for Scotland. I feel privileged to have represented my country 100 times, played in three British & Irish Lions tours and represented some great clubs. I couldn’t ask for more.

“I have a lot of people to thank and I will surround everyone. First is my wife Gill, my parents, my brother and my children. I am very lucky and proud to have such a loving family that supported me every step of the way.

“Rugby has allowed me to meet amazing people, make lifelong friends, travel the world and be a part of amazing events that I will cherish forever.

“Knowing what lies ahead, I am looking forward to playing the best and most enjoyable rugby of my career, ending the season with Exeter Chiefs with flying colors before seizing the opportunity we have as a nation in France.

“After the tournament, a new career will start and I will attack the same way I play. I hope I made you proud.”

Hogg added: “Knowing what lies ahead, I really want to play the best and most enjoyable rugby of my career, finishing the season successfully at Exeter Chiefs, before taking advantage of the opportunity we have as a nation in France. I don’t feel like my body can reach the standards I’ve set for myself for much longer and I’ve always wanted to finish at the highest level. After the tournament, a new race calls, and I’ll attack it the same way you play. Hope you are proud of it. 100 have not been released (yet).

He lost his friend on that tragic night

If you’ve ever seen Hogg make the W sign to heaven after one attempt (and it’s been 27 for Scotland alone) or seen the tattoo on his ribs, it’s all in memory of his late friend Richard Wilkinson, who died in a car accident . which also involved Hogg.

In April 2009, two friends were waiting for a van to pick them up from a Sevens tournament in Kelso when a friend offered to drive them. The couple played rock-scissors-paper to determine who would sit in the front passenger seat of the car.

But the driver of the Peugeot 306 GTI was traveling at 90 mph on a country road with another car and lost control on a sharp curve. Wilkinson, 17, died instantly from severe head injuries after a wooden pole shattered his windshield. Hogg, who was in the back seat, survived after jumping out of a window to avoid falling debris.

The drivers of both cars were jailed for four-and-a-half years after admitting to causing death by reckless driving.

Richard’s former mum Sandra told The Daily Record: ‘Richard and Stuart were very close. They used to play rugby together and spent most weekends together. Both were very talented players and Richard would be proud of the way Stuart works.

“Stewart told us recently that he has taken on Richard’s role as the older brother to my youngest son and youngest daughter, which is very moving. He is part of our family.

“Stewart named Richard Wilko and that’s why he makes the ‘W’ sign during games. When we saw him for the first time, it’s hard to explain what we felt. It was great to see Stewart do it so well and it was exciting to see him dedicate it to Richard. I even thought about him when I played. It really meant a lot to us.”

Arguments with coaches and loss of captain status

Hogg is not in danger of clashing or disagreeing with one of his trainers.

After being picked up for his first Lions tour in 2013, which he admits set him back, he felt he had outgrown the Glasgow Warriors and wanted to move to Ulster. But then Glasgow boss Gregor Townsend withdrew him from the PRO12 final against Leinster due to his displeasure. “I was sitting in the stands with a beer. It was silly and I did it all myself,” Hogg said.

On a more positive note, Hogg has led Scotland through some memorable moments as captain of his country: the day he broke an 18-year barrier by winning in Wales, when he beat Paris for the first time in 22 years and when he won Twickenham for the first time in 38 years.

At the club, he won the Magners League with Glasgow in 2015, the European Cup and the Premier League double with Exeter in 2020.

He lost the Scotland captaincy in 2022 and Jamie Ritchie was appointed captain for the Autumn Tests, despite Hogg returning to the squad after being rested for the summer tour to Argentina.

Although Scotland manager Townsend said it had nothing to do with an unauthorized party, it came after Hogg and five others went out drinking in Edinburgh on Saturday night when they should have returned to camp and prepared. for the trip to Dublin in a week. . later.

Since then, Hogg has been effective for Townsend, now the boss of his national team, with Blair Kinghorn designated as his long-term replacement. France at the 2023 Rugby World Cup will be Hogg’s last appearance for Scotland.

New career options

In a statement announcing his retirement plans, Hogg said: “A new career calls and I will attack as well as I play.”

While it wouldn’t be surprising if he continued playing rugby in one form or another, clothes might be the path he chooses to travel further.

In 2018, it partnered with Scottish cashmere and fine wool manufacturer Johnstons of Elgin to launch a range of its own sweaters, sweaters and hoodies. This is where his father John worked for many years, and the company is located in his hometown of Havik. “I love wearing local clothes and it’s great to be able to have my own line.”

He is also a huge horse racing fan, as he once said his sporting hero is AP McCoy, who was hockey champion a record 20 consecutive times. “However, my passion for horses remained and when you think of horse racing you think of AP McCoy,” he once told the BBC. “I just adored AP, he was the only jockey who always wore the same colors, green and yellow stripes with a white hat. It soon became apparent that it was EP McCoy, and that he was a big dog.’

Wife, children and family

Hogg married his longtime partner Gill in 2016 and the couple have three children together: Archie, Olvia and George.

Instagram

Stewart’s brother Graham also paid tribute to his brother following the news that he would hang up his boots after the World Cup. Graham, a former rugby player, said the Gogg family would be prouder than Stewart could have imagined.

“On this [2017] In an interview, Stewart said he owes it all to me, but we as a family owe him more than he can imagine.” my tough times, watching him thrive was something that really kept me going. We owe him everything, not the other way around.”

Some of the beatings Hogg received from the press and social media for his appearance really hit Graham and the Hogg family to the bone. Hogg recently released a statement criticizing the spikes in his hair, teeth and general appearance.

“It’s kind of hard, I’ve got a lump in my throat right now,” Graham added. “I’ve had a really tough time myself, and I was looking at things about Stewart and I’d like to fight everybody. Unfortunately, this is the world we live in: social media can be a great place, but it can also be a lonely and cruel place.

“Rugby is going through a transition, it’s not the style of the month in a lot of circles, so we need guys like Stewart to show that you can be yourself, that you can come from that kind of experience. Limit and reach the top by doing it yourself”.