Due to a serious neck injury, Wales and Cardiff flanker Josh Navidi has been forced to proclaim his immediate retirement from rugby union. In July of last year, while making his 33rd appearance for Wales in the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town, Navidi sustained the injury. Navidi has announced the end of his illustrious playing career due to his inability to recuperate sufficiently from an injury.
The 32-year-old said in a statement on Cardiff’s website, “I am announcing my retirement from rugby with both great sadness and immense pride.” Although I knew this day would inevitably arrive, I don’t believe I was ever able to adequately prepare myself for how difficult it would be to describe the game’s impact on my life.
Josh Navidi will retire from rugby with immediate effect after failing to rehabilitate from a serious neck injury, Cardiff announced in a brief statement.
Navidi helped Wales win three Six Nations championships, including the 2019 grand slam and was a member of Warren Gatland’s team that reached the World Cup semifinals in 2019, losing narrowly to eventual champion South Africa.
He also made 184 appearances for Cardiff and traveled to South Africa in 2021 with the British and Irish Lions without earning a Test cap.
Navidi stated, “I am extremely grateful to everyone at Cardiff Rugby.” “I began my career with the club in 2009, and in those 14 years, countless memories have been created that will remain with me forever.
“I will miss playing, but I am extremely proud of everything I have accomplished in my career, whether with Cardiff, Wales, or the British and Irish Lions,” he said. “I’m now looking forward to the next chapter in my life beyond rugby.”
