1
Ex-England hooker Webber to call it quits with a year to spare
By Online Editors
Former England hooker Rob Webber has announced that he will retire from professional rugby at the end of this season.
The 33-year-old Sale forward won 16 England caps, which included three appearances in the 2015 World Cup. He started his professional career at Leeds, then went on to play for Wasps and Bath before joining his current club in 2016.
“The time has come for me to hang up my playing boots at the end of the 2019/20 Gallagher Premiership season,” Webber said in a statement released by Sale. “It has been an incredible journey over the last 16 years.
“The memories I have made will stay with me always, but I now feel it is time to pursue other opportunities within the game. My clubs – Leeds, Wasps, Bath and currently Sale Sharks – have all be been brilliant places to go to work every day.
“The opportunity to play for my country, tour the world and to be involved in a World Cup are career highlights and achievements I will cherish forever.”
(Continue reading below...)
RPA warns of mass player revolt over Seven Nations plot
Sale rugby director Steve Diamond said: “It’s a shame to see Rob leave the club earlier than expected. I did everything I could to keep Rob at the club for the final year of his contract, but it was clear he had made his mind up. As a club, we wanted to support his decision to pursue other opportunities within the game.
“In my opinion, Rob has shown the best form of his career while at Sale, and we are unfortunate to be losing such an experienced player at the end of the season.
“I have no doubt that the skill-set he has shown both on and off the pitch at Sale, along with the experience he has in the modern game, will stand him in good stead as he looks to transfer into an off-field role.”
- Press Association
WATCH: The latest episode of The Rugby Pod discusses Ellis Genge's post-match interview and Finn Russell's ongoing bust-up with Gregor Townsend
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Initial Immanuel Feyi-Waboso injury update does not sound promising
3
Ex-Wallaby explains why All Blacks aren’t at ‘panic stations’
4
Leinster player ratings vs Connacht | 2024/25 URC
5
Latest Comments
Disagree.
The challenge for the All Blacks now that they have 7 of 8 starting forwards locked in and all but one bench forward (only one loose forward and bench loosie to settle on) is to sort out the starting backline as only 9 Roigard, 12 J. Barrett, 11 Clarke and 15 Jordan had good to outstanding seasons in 2024. All the other backs were inconsistent or poor and question marks going into 2025.
Go to commentshe should not be playing 12. He should be playing 10 and team managers should stop playing players out of position to accommodate libbok.
Go to comments