Class of 2017: Retiring Players

Some legends of the game are hanging up their boots after remarkable careers.

Thierry Dusautoir - Toulouse & France

Dusautoir announced in mid-April that he will be hanging up his boots after an illustrious career. Captaining his country on 56 occasions, leading Les Blues to a World Cup final in 2011. 

' Titi ' retired from international rugby in 2015. Having been with Toulouse since 2006, the legendary flanker made his final appearance for the club on Saturday, making over 200 appearances.

Roger Wilson - Ulster 

Ulster's most capped player earned his 221st and final cap for Ulster on Saturday. The Ulster stalwart scored a try and was awarded with the MOTM award on his final appearance for the club. 

Wilson, one of an elite list of players who have made over 300 professional appearances, has enjoyed two stints at Ulster, either side of a four-year spell at Northampton where he represented the Saints on 117 occasions.

Wilson helped Northampton Saints to the European Challenge Cup in 2009, lifted the LV Cup in 2010 and picked up a Heineken Cup runners up medal 2011.

Kelly Brown - Saracens 

The Former Scotland back-rower will retire at the end of the season to become an academy coach. Brown joined Saracens from Glasgow Warriors in 2010, going on to win three Premiership titles and last season's European Champions Cup.

The 34-year-old was capped 64 times by Scotland, captaining the side on 14 occasions from 2012 to 2014.

Jamie Cudmore - Oyonnax

The big Canadian announced his retirement after guiding PRO D2 side Oyonnax back to the top-tier of French Rugby. Cudmore will take on a full-time coaching role with the team as they look to secure their status in the Top 14 next season.

Formerly with Clermont for an 11-year spell, winning the Top 14 Championship in 2010 under Vern Cotter. Cudmore represented Canada 43 times scoring 3 tries, appearing in four World Cups.

Mamuka Gorgodze - Georgia

Gorgodze, arguably Georgia's greatest-ever rugby union player, recently called time on his international career.

Gorgodze made his international debut against Spain in 2003 and was named Georgia's Player of the Year six times.

The 32-year-old captained his country 13 times, won 71 international caps and competed in three World Cups in 2007, 2011 and 2015.

Gorgodze will continue to represent Toulon in the Top 14.

Mike Ross - Leinster

The cornerstone of the Leinster scrum for many years, Ross called time on a stellar career that saw him win two Six Nations titles, represent Ireland at two World Cups as well as winning two Heineken Cups, a Challenge Cup and two PRO12 titles with Leinster.

The 37-year-old Cork native played on 61 occasions for Ireland since his debut in 2009 on the summer tour to Canada and made 151 appearances for Leinster since his debut in September 2009 against the Scarlets.

Marcos Ayerza - Leicester Tigers

Ayerza announced his retirement after an 11-season stint at Welford Road, having been advised to end his career because of a back injury.

Ayerza joined the Tigers in 2006, going on to make more than 200 first-team starts, he also represented the Pumas in three successive World Cup campaigns winning 66 Test caps.

James Broadhurst - Hurricanes

The one-Test All Black announced his retirement from professional rugby at the end of the season after struggling to recover from a concussion suffered in 2015.

Broadhurst enjoyed a breakout season for the Hurricanes in 2015, winning a spot in the All Blacks to make his test debut against the Springboks at Ellis Park.

Drew Mitchell - Toulon

The 33-year-old winger was capped 71 times for Australia scoring 34 tries (13 Rugby World Cup tries) and appeared in three successive World Cups.

He won two Champions Cup medals with Toulon, as well as the Top 14 in 2014. 

Nick Evans - Harlequins

Regarded by many as the Premiership's finest ever import. Evans announced his retirement in April and signed off his Quins career by securing their entry into next season's Champions Cup.

The 36-year-old New Zealander joined Quins in 2008, making more than 200 senior appearances and scoring over 2,200 points - a club record.

During his career at the Aviva Premiership club, Evans helped them win the league title and the European Challenge Cup.

He also won 16 caps for the All Blacks between 2004 and 2007, and is regarded among the finest overseas signings in Premiership history.

Mike Phillips - Sale Sharks

A double Wales Grand Slam winner, Phillips, who currently plays for Sale Sharks in the Aviva Premiership, earned 94 caps for his country and played in five Tests for the Lions.

Phillips began his career at Llanelli before moving on to Cardiff Blues and the Ospreys. In 2011, he moved to France where he played for Bayonne and Racing 92 before moving back to Sale Sharks.