Dumsha Wijesinghe JadeTimes Staff
W.G.S.D.Wijesinghe is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Sports News
Wales scrum half Gareth Davies has announced his retirement from international rugby at the age of 34. The Scarlets half back earned 77 caps for Wales and featured in two British and Irish Lions tours, having made his international debut during the 2014 tour of South Africa.
Davies was instrumental in Wales' successes over the past decade, including playing a key role in their 2019 Six Nations Grand Slam and their 2021 championship win. He also famously scored the match winning try against England at Twickenham during the 2015 Rugby World Cup, a moment that contributed to England’s early exit from the tournament.
The announcement comes just days before Wales head coach Warren Gatland is set to name his squad for the 2024 autumn internationals against Fiji, Australia, and South Africa. Davies last appearance for Wales was in July 2024 when he captained the team in a narrow 36-35 win over the Queensland Reds in Brisbane during an uncapped fixture.
Reflecting on his international career, Davies shared on social media: "After 10 incredible years with Wales, I’ve made the decision to retire from international rugby. It was my dream as a child to represent my country and I’ve cherished every moment in the Wales jersey."
He continued by thanking his family, friends, and fans for their support, adding: "With an exciting young generation of players coming through, I feel now is the right time for me to step away. I’m looking forward to focusing on the remainder of my club career. Diolch."
Wales head coach Warren Gatland praised Davies contribution, noting some of his standout moments, including his tries in the 2015 and 2019 Rugby World Cups. "Gareth has been a fantastic servant for Welsh rugby over the past decade. His family can be immensely proud of all he’s achieved, and I look forward to watching him continue at club level."
Davies has already shown impressive form in the current season, scoring two tries for Scarlets in their recent United Rugby Championship win against Cardiff. He played a key role in Scarlets Pro12 title victory in 2017, where they defeated Munster in Dublin.
Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel commended Davies on his distinguished international career, highlighting his leadership and consistent performances for both Wales and the Lions. "He’s been superb for us this season, and we’re excited to see what he continues to offer both on and off the field."
