Scotland's top try-scorer Stuart Hogg retires with 'immediate effect'

Stuart Hogg will not represent Scotland after the Rugby World Cup after announcing his retirement with immediate effect. 

The 100 Test cap full-back announced his decision to hang up his boots after the World Cup in March, but he has now played his final match.

Hogg has cited the strain on his body as the reason for his decision to finish his career prior to the tournament.

“It is difficult where to start, but with great sadness and an enormous amount of pride, I am announcing my immediate retirement from playing rugby,” Hogg said in his retirement announcement.

“I fought with everything I had to make the Rugby World Cup, but this time my body has not been able to do the things I wanted and needed it to do. We knew this day would come; eventually, I just never thought it would be this soon.

“It’s hard to put into words just how much of an impact the game has had on my life. I will be retiring knowing that I have given my body and heart to rugby. I will be forever grateful to this amazing community and cannot wait to begin my journey as a proud supporter of the team.”

The 31-year-old played for Glasgow Warriors and Exeter Chiefs during his 13-year-long career. 

Earlier this year, Hogg notched up his 100th cap for Scotland against Ireland and became the country’s top try-scorer touching down for the 25th time against Japan.

He made his Test debut against Wales in February 2012 off the back of a starring performance for Scotland A the week prior.

Hogg scored the first of his 25 tries against France at Murrayfield in his first start for Scotland and would go on to represent his country in two Rugby World Cups.

He captained Scotland to back-to-back Calcutta Cup victories over England in 2021 and 2022 and a historic victory against France at the Stade de France.

During his time with Glasgow, he won the PRO12 title in 2015 and completed the Champions Cup and Premiership double with Exeter Chiefs in 2020. 

Hogg went on three British and Irish Lions tours, first earning a call-up in 2013 and repeating that feat in 2017 and 2021. On the last tour to South Africa, he started twice against the Springboks.

Commenting on the full-back’s retirement, Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend said: “Following Stuart’s news we would like to wish him all the best in his retirement. He has been an outstanding player for Scotland and has had a career lit up with so many achievements, highlights and special memories.

“I have had the pleasure of coaching Stuart for the majority of his career, and he was a joy to work with and watch on the training field and in games. He had a love for so many aspects of the game and not only got joy from taking on defenders with ball in hand but also putting his teammates into space. His basic skills and speed set him apart from other players, and it has been an amazing effort to play Test rugby for the past 11 years.

“To reach 100 caps this year was fitting and just reward for a career that has seen him represent the British & Irish Lions and win trophies both domestically and at a European level.

“We respect his decision to step away now and understand the stresses and challenges his body has gone through in recent seasons. He has been an integral part of our squad for many years, as well as captaining the side to famous victories over England and France in 2021, and we all wish him well in his career post-rugby. We look forward to welcoming him back to support us from the stands.”

READ MORE: All the training squads announced so far ahead of the Rugby World Cup