Dom Day, the shock Wales selection for the 2015 World Cup, has officially announced his retirement from all forms of rugby, bringing to a close a 15-year playing career.
The 34-year-old had planned to head for the United States to join Major League side San Diego Legion, but injury has intervened.
Day is now finishing as a player to devote more time to his family and his business interests.
The much-travelled lock, who has featured for Saracens since 2017, said: “Rugby has been my life since I was a young lad and I’m thoroughly grateful to all those who’ve helped me in my career, particularly my wife and my father who have given up so much to let me live my dream.
“I’m truly thankful to have met some fantastic people and lifelong friends, but now is the time for me to focus on business and family.
“While I consider myself fortunate to have the career I’ve had, life for many after a professional rugby career can be daunting.
“Saracens has been awesome and supportive, but across the rugby world in general we need to help players realise there is a life after rugby that they need to prepare for.”
Day plans to focus on FourFive CBD, the business he started with Saracens team-mate George Kruis 18 months ago. Day initially tried CBD oil after struggling with a knee injury on returning from Australia two years ago. He then introduced it to Kruis and the pair decided to go into business together. A thriving business has resulted.
He told WalesOnline earlier this year: "It's been a constant process of improving and expanding. We have full-time employees now. We're now approved for athletes — that was important for us.
"We've had about three or four hundred athletes use our product now. Olympians, boxers, UFC fighters, cyclists, rugby league boys — a real mix of athletes. We knew people were looking for it and for us to provide a safe product for them is great."
He bows out of rugby in the knowledge that he has squeezed a lot of enjoyment out of his time as a player.
After coming through the ranks with Pembroke Dock Quins, he had stints with Llanelli, the Scarlets and Bath before heading to Japan to play for Toyota Verblitz and then journeying south for a spell with Melbourne Rebels.
His time with Saracens has coincided with a silverware-winning era for the club.
"It's been awesome. I haven't played in any of the European finals but there's a big thing here that everyone is aware of the part they've played. I've been involved and I'll cherish those medals," he said in his WalesOnline interview.
The World Cup call four years ago was the cherry on the cake.
Day played three times for Wales, with one of those appearances coming in the global tournament. He later admitted to having been as shocked as anyone to receive his summons from Warren Gatland.
His may not have been a typical career for a Welsh rugby player, then, but it’s hard to imagine he regrets a single minute.
