Wales prop retires at 28

NEWS: Dragons and Wales prop Leon Brown announced his retirement from the game with immediate effect.

The 28-year-old Brown made 74 appearances for the Dragons and scored five tries after his debut against Leicester Tigers in November 2016.

He has been a formidable figure in the Dragons pack and his form for the Men of Gwent deservedly earned him a senior Wales call-up in November 2017.

His international debut came as a 74th-minute replacement against Australia in a 29-21 defeat on November 11, 2017, and a week later he started in the 13-6 win over Georgia.

He went on to win 24 senior caps for his country, his most recent appearance coming in last year’s Six Nations against Scotland.

The 28-year-old made his final club appearance in the United Rugby Championship fixture with Benetton in October and has now made the decision to hang up his boots through injury.

🐉 𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 | Leon’s full statement following the news of his immediate retirement.

✍️ https://t.co/i7IXlOOtV6#WeAreGwentRugby pic.twitter.com/2l9Y1P6D6b

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— Dragons RFC 🐉 (@dragonsrfc) January 7, 2025

In his retirement announcement Leon Brown said: “All good things must come to an end and as I look back on my career, although shorter than I’d hoped, I do so with many fond memories and no regrets at all. I’ve always believed that everything happens for a reason and sometimes things just aren’t meant to be.

“Even though the rest of my body feels ready to continue to play, my neck clearly has other ideas. After three surgeries in the last three seasons, it’s time for me to listen to it and call it a day.

“I should name every individual who’s helped and supported me along the way, but in keeping with my less is more approach, I will instead say a big ‘thank you’ to everyone who has been with me every step.

“I’ve been lucky enough to spend my entire playing career with the Dragons, something I’ve truly cherished and am incredibly proud of.

Everyone’s help and support over the years has not gone unnoticed by my family or I, and we will be forever grateful.

“Finally, a huge thank you to Dragons RFC for sticking by me and supporting me while I tried my best to get this neck to play ball!

“Remember: Nothing is ever as good as it seems, and nothing is ever as bad, either. Peaks and troughs! Thanks for everything.”