Jonathan Davies, one of Wales’s and the British & Irish Lions’ most decorated rugby players, has officially retired at the age of 36. Known for his brilliance on the field and humility off it, Davies leaves behind a glittering career spanning 18 years, marked by two British & Irish Lions tours, two Six Nations grand slams, and a legacy cemented among rugby’s all-time greats.
Davies first truly stepped into the Lions spotlight during the 2013 tour to Australia, where his selection over rugby legend Brian O'Driscoll for the final Test caused one of the biggest selection controversies in Lions history.
Despite the uproar, Davies proved his worth, helping the Lions clinch the series in a dominant 41-16 victory. His performance, combined with his outstanding form during the tour, won over many critics—including O'Driscoll himself, who had praised Davies' play earlier in the tour.
His ability to shine again in the 2017 Lions series in New Zealand solidified his status, as Davies was named Player of the Series by his teammates in a closely fought draw against the All Blacks.
New Zealand’s scrum-half Aaron Smith even once said that if he could pick any foreign player for the All Blacks, it would be Davies - a nod to how well-respected he was, even among his toughest opponents.
A career with Wales in the golden era
For Wales, Davies became a central figure in what was widely regarded as a golden era for Welsh rugby. Earning 96 caps, Davies was instrumental in securing two Grand Slam titles and two additional Six Nations Championships. His partnership with fellow Welsh centre Jamie Roberts was particularly potent, combining strong defensive play with powerful attacking runs.
Shaun Edwards, Wales’ legendary defensive coach, considered Davies indispensable to the team’s blitz defence. He evolved into the leader of Wales' defence, constantly scanning opposition attacks and organising his teammates.
Edwards once described Davies as looking like "he’d been lifting weights since childhood," with a fend-off that made him a nightmare for opponents—most memorably outmuscling Ireland’s Johnny Sexton in the 2015 Six Nations.
Club success and a fond farewell
At club level, Davies spent most of his career with his beloved Scarlets, barring a two-year stint with French giants Clermont-Auvergne. Commenting on his move to France, he said: “I loved it. It was a great experience for me to leave my comfort zone – everything I’d known since I was sixteen – to experience a different culture and way of thinking. Actually, it was several different cultures, since we had players from all over the world there. We had a diverse viewpoint on how rugby should be played, and what values the game was built on in different parts of the world”.
He helped the Scarlets secure the Pro12 title in 2017, a triumph built on the free-flowing rugby for which Davies was the spearhead.
Announcing his retirement on Instagram, Davies reflected on his remarkable career. "It’s been an incredible ride," he wrote. "I have been lucky enough to play the game professionally for 18 years, dedicating everything I have to being the best rugby player I could be."
Davies leaves the game after 209 appearances and 55 tries for the Scarlets.
