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Ireland women captain Griffin to retire from international rugby

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Ireland women’s captain Ciara Griffin has announced that she will retire from international rugby after Saturday’s Test against Japan.

Ireland women’s captain Ciara Griffin has announced that she will retire from international rugby after Saturday’s Test against Japan.

The back-rower has been the Ireland captain since 2018 and is set to win her 41st cap in the encounter at the RDS.

Griffin, 27, made her debut for Ireland in the 2016 Women’s Six Nations and has led from the front but has decided the time is right to call time on her career.

She said: “It has been a childhood dream come true to play for my country. Being afforded the opportunity to captain the national team has been the highest honour.

“It has been an incredible journey filled with many highs and lows and I am very grateful for all the life skills I have developed through my involvement in high performance sport.

“It is a decision I have not come to lightly and after discussing it with my family ahead of the Autumn Tests, it is now time for me to turn my focus to my life outside of rugby and begin a new chapter.

“I would like to thank everyone for their unwavering support, and I look forward to supporting the team going forward.”

Ireland head coach Adam Griggs paid tribute to Griffin, who was his captain throughout his time in charge.

He added: “Ciara stood out to me right from our first training session as a genuine leader and someone that players respect and listen to.

“She wears her heart on her sleeve and it is that leadership style along with her passion and dedication to making people and the team better that has always been so effective.

“Ciara has led the way with her standards and what it takes to be a first class international, and I know in doing this has inspired so many young players to take up rugby and try to emulate her own journey. Irish Rugby will miss her, and we wish her all the best in retirement and the next chapter of her life.”