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United Rugby Championship

Dragons' Lloyd Fairbrother confirms his immediate-effect retirement

By Liam Heagney

263 days ago

Dragons prop Lloyd Fairbrother is applauded off following a 2023 game versus Ospreys (Photo by Huw Fairclough/Getty Images)

Dragons prop Lloyd Fairbrother has confirmed his immediate-effect retirement from playing just weeks before the Welsh franchise open their new URC campaign at home to Ospreys on September 21. It was January 1 this year when the 32-year-old made the last of his 172 appearances and a back injury sidelined him since then.

A statement read: “Legendary prop Lloyd Fairbrother has announced his retirement from professional rugby with immediate effect. The iconic front row – a cult figure with an army of fans at Rodney Parade – made a total of 172 appearances for Dragons, scoring five tries, over a decade of loyal service.

“Born in Cornwall but now a true Man of Gwent, Fairbrother is joint fifth in the club’s all-time appearance charts, alongside Jack Dixon, and remains the most capped prop in club history.

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“Fairbrother had previous playing spells with Exeter Chiefs, Moseley, Cornish Pirates and Plymouth Albion before making the move to Newport in the summer of 2014 where he became a cornerstone of the pack at Dragons. Qualifying for Wales courtesy of his mother who was born in Blaenavon, Fairbrother proudly represented his country in a fixture with the Barbarians at Principality Stadium in November 2023.”

Fairbrother said: “Regrettably, I have had to make the decision to step away from professional rugby and focus on my health, well-being and family. This has been one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make.

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“But I’m stepping away as I don’t feel I can get back to being 100 per cent due to back issues and knowing that carrying on will be detrimental to my long-term health. From the bottom of my heart, I would truly like to thank everyone that has been a part of my journey.

“To all the clubs that I have represented, past and present players and staff. To all my friends, supporters, and critics. To the Dragons supporters, I deeply appreciate the support and following I have had over my career. It has meant everything to me and representing the people of Gwent has always been one of my main purposes. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without you all in my corner.”

Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan added: “We are all disappointed that Lloyd is leaving us, but fully support and understand the difficult decision he has taken ahead of the new season. Lloyd has been a wonderful servant for the Dragons, and it is hard to put into words the impact that he has had.

“The Cornishman who became a true Man of Gwent, a player who truly embraced representing the Dragons. The way he played the game was reflected in the admiration that every fan held him in. He gave it everything and fans loved him for that.

“It says so much that his sole appearance for Wales was met with delight not only by fans at Dragons, but by all Welsh rugby followers. No man deserved that moment more and he can look back on his career with huge pride.”

? ?????? ????? ?
Join us in paying tribute to one true 'Man of Gwent' as our most capped prop of all-time brings his career to a close today! ???
1??0?? Seasons
1??7??2?? Appearances
5?? Tries
1?? Dragons ? Legend#WeAreGwentRugby #DiolchLloyd pic.twitter.com/IbnsCqlMTy
— Dragons RFC (@dragonsrfc) August 27, 2024

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 5 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 5 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 5 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 5 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 5 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 5 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍