Northampton Saints and ex-Worcester Warrior Ethan Waller to retire

Waller, who won 118 caps in five years at Sixways, has also notched over a ton of appearances for Saints but will now bring his 14-year professional career to an end.

"I never in my wildest dreams would have imagined that I would have been a professional athlete, so I’m really proud to have called this a job for over a decade," said Waller, who was part of the Warriors team that won the 2021/22 Premiership Rugby Cup.

Ethan Waller played 118 times for Worcester Warriors (Image: JMP)

"I’ve made some of the very best friends and memories from my career; I’ll never forget that incredible game away at Leinster in 2013, winning the Premiership Rugby Cup with Worcester, all the European away trips, and socials with the teammates I get to call my friends.

"I want to thank both Northampton Saints and Worcester Warriors – two incredible Clubs, with even better people behind the scenes. To get more than 100 caps for both teams is something I’ll cherish for the rest of my life."

Ethan Waller was a huge hit at Sixways (Image: JMP)

Waller has also been Chair of the RPA since 2021, playing a key role in representing the interests of hundreds of current male and female professional rugby players in England.

Waller retires a legend at Northampton Saints (Image: JMP)

"Thanks also to the RPA, who have been an incredible organisation to work with and are such an important asset to the game. Thank you for being a safety net for all players and to all my colleagues throughout that time.

"My teammates have made coming into work every day the best craic and made sure it’s never really felt like ‘work’. Fortunately for you, my rubbish chat and even worse music is hitting the road. Thank you boys, it’s been the most enjoyable period of my life and I’ll miss it dearly."

Waller will end his 14-year career in rugby (Image: JMP)

Waller came through Saints’ Academy system, making his debut in an Anglo-Welsh Cup match against Harlequins back in 2012.

He became a regular in the first-team squad during the Club’s historic double league and cup-winning campaign of 2013/14 and won Saints’ Young Player of the Season award.

In total, Waller made 95 appearances during his first stint with Northampton, becoming a supporter favourite at Franklin’s Gardens thanks not only to his eye-catching performances, but also for helping to set-up numerous fundraising events for charity.

He departed for Sixways in 2017 in search of more game time, making over 100 appearances for Worcester, but returned to Northampton in the summer of 2022 and brought up a century of Saints caps in November of that year against Newcastle Falcons.