Former Canada second row announces 'bittersweet' retirement

Retiring Exeter Chiefs second row Abby Duguid has described her decision hang up her boots at the end of this season as ‘bittersweet’.

So far the 28-year-old – who was recruited by Exeter boss Steve Salvin earlier in the season after Edel McMahon and Taz Bricknell sustained serious injuries – has made 10 league appearances for the Devon club and scored one try.

Older sister of France and Montpellier lock, Tyler, Duguid represented Canada at Test level and made 55 appearances for Premiership Women’s Rugby club Loughborough Lightning.

“It’s been bittersweet because I came in feeling it would be my last year, but I have also had the best time,” Duguid said.

“I feel like I have completion; I have finished on a high note. I have really fallen back in love with rugby. I have had the best season ever and I’m ready to be done. It feels like the right time.

“The thing I will miss most will be the girls. I have made life-long friends even though I have only really been here for eight months; it feels like I have been here forever.”

During her time in England, Duguid coached Loughborough University’s women’s team and, upon her move to Chiefs, has been coaching an after-school rugby club at Exeter’s The Maynard School.

Upon retirement she will return to Edmonton, Alberta, where she will resume teaching and has ambition of working in the fire service.

Exeter have qualified for the PWR semi-finals this June and are due to travel to Saracens’ StoneX Stadium for a winner-takes-all clash on Sunday 14 June. It is an instant return to knockout rugby for Chiefs, who missed out on the top four by two points last season.

“I would like to thank everyone,” Duguid said. “People at home and everyone else who has supported me. Thanks to everyone who believed in me even when I sometimes did not believe in myself.”