Scotland centurion Stuart Hogg confirms plans to retire from rugby after 2023 France World Cup

Exeter’s Scottish full-back Stuart Hogg has announced that he will retire from rugby after the 2023 World Cup, which will be held in France this autumn.

Hogg, who has 100 caps for his country and has scored 171 points, will be 31 years old when the tournament begins.

Hogg turned professional in 2011 with Glasgow Warriors, and was Scotland captain for a year in 2020.

“I don’t feel my body can achieve the standards that I set myself for much longer,” he said.

“I’ve always wanted to finish at the top end of the game. After the tournament, a new career beckons and I will attack it in the same manner as I play the game.”

Hogg made his international debut in 2012 and was also picked for the British and Irish Lions tours in 2013, 2017 and most recently in 2021, picking up two caps in 2021 against South Africa.

He also has a Pro12 title with Glasgow for the 2014/15 season and a Premiership and European Champions Cup double triumph with Exeter in 2019/20.

This autumn’s World Cup would represent the third time he has competed at the tournament, having played in eight of Scotland’s nine games at the previous two World Cups.

“I couldn’t have asked for any more,” he added.

“Rugby has allowed me to meet some incredible characters, make lifelong friends, travel the world and be part of some unbelievable experiences that I will cherish forever.

“Knowing what lies ahead, I have a real hunger to play the best, most enjoyable rugby of my career, finishing the season strongly with Exeter Chiefs before attacking the opportunity we, as a nation, have in France.”

Hogg became just the fourth Scot to reach a century of caps at the recent Six Nations, where Scotland won three of their five games.