Gareth Davies to retire from international rugby

Gareth Davies has confirmed he will retire from international rugby.

His last appearance for Wales was the 36-35 win against the Queensland Reds in an uncapped fixture at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane in July where he captained the side.

Speaking on social media Davies said: “I’ve decided that, after ten incredible years playing for Wales, I am retiring from international rugby.

“It was my childhood dream to represent my country and I have loved every moment in a Wales jersey.

“From winning my first cap on the summer tour back in 2014, to playing in three Rugby World Cups, winning a Six Nations championship and a Grand Slam… it really has been special.

“Thank you to my family, my wife Katy, my friends and all the fans for their support over the past decade.

“It’s been an honour to represent Wales and with this exciting young group of players coming through I feel now is the right time for me to step away from international rugby.

“I still have a lot to give to the game and I’m looking forward to the last few years of my club rugby career. Diolch.”

In an international career spanning a decade Davies, Wales senior men’s international 115, won 77 caps for his country and scored 17 tries.

Wales senior men’s head coach Warren Gatland said: “Gareth has been a great player for Wales over the last decade and he has always given everything in the red jersey.

“There have been some really memorable moments, like his tries against England in the World Cup in 2015 and against Australia in the 2019 and 2023 World Cups. He and his family can be very proud of his international achievements.

“I know he still has a lot to give rugby and look forward to continuing to watch him play at club level.

Davies developed through the Scarlets Academy after joining in 2006 and played his early club rugby at home town team Newcastle Emlyn. He represented Llanelli at Welsh Premiership level before progressing into the senior Scarlets environment.

He played for Wales at U18 and U20 levels and won six caps in the U20 side alongside Scott Williams and Taulupe Faletau.

He was the leading try scorer with 10 in the 2013-14 Guinness PRO12 season and his consistency throughout that campaign earned him selection for Wales’ summer tour of South Africa.

His Test debut came as a replacement for Mike Phillips in a 38-16 defeat to the Springboks in Durban on June, 14 2014. He made three more appearances off the bench before being picked for Rugby World Cup 2015.

Davies marked his first start for Wales with two tries in the opening game at the World Cup against Uruguay in Cardiff. He played in all five of Wales’ matches during the tournament, scoring five tries in total, the pick of which was in the win over England at Twickenham. His other tries came against Fiji and in the quarter-final loss against South Africa.

He went on the 2017 summer tour to New Zealand and Samoa, but found himself being called up to join the British & Irish Lions squad after playing in Wales’ win over Tonga in Auckland. Davies was an unused replacement for the Lions in the 31-31 draw with the Hurricanes. He scored a try in the Scarlets 2017 Guinness PRO12 final win over Munster in Dublin and also started in the defeat by Leinster in the 2018 final.

Davies started three of the five matches in Wales’ 2019 Grand Slam campaign and came on as a replacement in the other two. He was also part of the 2021 Championship-winning squad, again starting three of the five matches (against Scotland, Italy and France) and featuring as a replacement in the other two.

In 2023, Davies was selected for his third Rugby World Cup when named in the Wales squad for the tournament in France. He scored a try in the 40-6 pool stage win over Australia to take his RWC overall try tally to eight and put him second on Wales’ all-time men’s RWC try scoring list behind Shane Williams (10).

Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel said: “Gareth has enjoyed an outstanding international career, for Wales and the Lions. He has played in three World Cups, won Six Nations titles and a Grand Slam and scored some incredible tries.

“His Scarlets career is equally distinguished and we enjoy working with him at the Scarlets as one of our leaders in the group. He has been superb for us in the opening weeks of the URC season and continues to offer us a lot both on and off the field.”