Wales & Lions star Sam Warburton has announced his retirement from all forms of rugby today at the age of 29.  The retirement of the Flanker means that Wales has lost one of their best players ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. 

After neck and knee surgery which made the player miss all of last season, Warburton has decided that it would be best for his health and his wellbeing to retire from all forms of rugby. The decision was made after his return to training this summer.

 The British Lions captain led Wales to a World Cup semi-final in 2011 and won 74 Wales caps, as well as winning five Lions caps and getting them to a series win in Australia in 2013. Most recently Warburton captained the Lions on their 2017 tour of New Zealand, which ended in a 1-1 draw. 

BREAKING: @samwarburton_ has announced his retirement from the game. He led Wales for a record 49 times in his 74 appearances.
#ThanksWarby pic.twitter.com/BOCahUsJ6O — Welsh Rugby Union 🏉 (@WelshRugbyUnion) July 18, 2018