Veteran Harlequins hooker hangs up boots

David Skippers

Harlequins hooker Rob Buchanan has announced his retirement from the game, ending 10 years at the club that saw him play over 120 games.

The hooker helped drive Harlequins to multiple trophies, most notably the 2012/13 LV= Cup and 2011/12 Aviva Premiership titles.

A popular figure within the Harlequins squad, Buchanan made his 100th Quins appearance in December 2016 in Europe, having earned his first senior start in 2012 against London rivals Saracens at the Wembley Stadium.

As a promising young hooker, Buchanan represented England throughout the age grades and was among the standout players in the 2011 Junior World Championship final against the junior All Blacks.

The club centurion toured with England’s senior team to Argentina in the summer of 2013 after helping the club lift the LV= Cup that season. He was also named in England’s 2014 squad to play the Barbarians and in England’s wider training squad for the 2017 tour to Argentina before being ruled out through injury.

Announcing his retirement, Buchanan said: “I’d like to thank my family, friends, team-mates, all the staff, and of course the fans who have been by my side throughout my time at the club, I wouldn’t have had such a special and amazing journey without all of you.

“I’m excited to get stuck into my next chapter with T&G (Wholesale Meats). My time as a player at the club may have come to an end, but I will still be at games to cheer on the lads.”

Paying tribute to his team-mate and close friend, fellow Quins front-row Will Collier said: “I’ve been lucky enough to know Rob for over 15 years and I have never heard anyone say a bad word about him.

“He’s the nicest, friendliest guy you could meet off the field and one of the most physical and aggressive on it.

“He was the perfect team-mate, always there to help you along in the bad times and always there to celebrate the good times as well. I know he will be missed by every member of the squad and I also know he’ll be successful in his next chapter.”

Commenting on Buchanan’s retirement, Harlequins Head of Rugby Paul Gustard said: “Seeing Rob leave us sparks mixed emotions. I am sad because he was a great player who was unlucky not to get a full senior cap for England, and I felt he was an important member of our squad who could help us realise our goals. But in the same breath, I am delighted that he has a new career that he is energised by and is excited to start.

“Rob played with courage, physicality and had a real purpose in his actions. He has had a very rough few years with the constant and monotonous nature of injury rehabilitation, and for him to come back and play an important role for the team last season showed not only his dedication and resilience, but the reason I, and the whole coaching staff, hold him in such high regard.

“He will be missed by the team because of his quality as a player, but more importantly he will be missed by the group because of his presence and the most incredible booming and infectious laugh you will ever hear.

“He has had a tremendous career and can look back with pride in his achievements and reflect on some amazing memories. We wish him and his partner Harriet the very best in the next chapter of their journey, the door at Harlequins will always be open to Rob.”

 

Harlequins