One thing that hardly anyone had written down on their 2024 bingo card, was the announced comeback tour of legendary indie rock band Oasis. Noel and Liam Gallagher look to have put their differences to the side for now, with the music industry stunned by the brothers getting the band back together for a 2025 tour.
Such an unexpected comeback got us thinking, about the times rugby players from the past dusted off their boots for one last ride out on the pitch. Always in keeping in touch with the current events of the mainstream media, we’ve compiled a top 10 list of the best examples of rugby stars coming out of retirement with some bizarre cases populating this group.
To further commemorate what many music fans thought would never happen, and before tickets to the hotly anticipated tour go on sale this weekend, here are our picks for the 10 most unexpected rugby returns from retirement.
We’ve also weaved in a handful of Oasis song titles into this article, can you spot them all?
1. Jason Robinson – Fylde
One of the fastest players to ever wear the England shirt, Jason Robinson was beloved by the Twickenham faithful, who often saw the wing slide away to score throughout his decorated career. Best known by his speedster nickname ‘Billy Whizz’, Robinson spent the majority of his club days with Sale Sharks, whom he won the Premiership title with in the 2003/04 season.
Robinson first hung up the boots at the end of the 2006/07 season, but little by little the wing was tempted back for a return to the pitch. Robinson spent a couple of seasons away from the changing rooms, before his eventual season long comeback with Lancashire club Fylde. The unexpected return saw Robinson apart of Fylde’s 2010/11 National League 2 season. It was a surprising move for the 2003 Rugby World Cup winner, who’s try in the final against the Wallabies will live forever in the hearts of England fans.
2. Jonah Lomu – Cardiff Blues
The iconic wing who some might say is the greatest to ever play the game, Jonah Lomu’s career took an unexpected turn in the early 2000s. Having dominated the Test match stage upon the All Blacks left wing, an assortment of health issues caused the legend to hang up his boots and take a three year hiatus from professional rugby in 2002. The requirement for a kidney transplant made many to believe Lomu had called time on his career, yet the big man delighted the rugby world with his return three years later.
After an initial comeback with North Harbour in New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship, the late great legend would relocate half the world away, and arrived in Wales ahead of the 2005/06 season. Lomu made his debut for Cardiff Blues against Calvisano in the Heineken Cup, with the star attraction taking centre stage in the Arms Park in four fixtures. Lomu would then take an additional year out to manage his health issues with his final act seeing him play in seven matches for french club Marseille Vitrolles in the 2009/10 season.
3. Joe Simpson – Old Priorians
Former England scrum half Joe Simpson began to wear the colours of many clubs towards the end of his playing career, with the latest coming in the form of seventh tier side Old Priorian RFC. The former Great Britian sevens star got the Sunday morning call to run out for Old Priorian 2nd XV, and in Gallagher-esque fashion, Simpson was reunited with his brother Michael for one last run. This was as part of an ‘International XV’ that played against the Ealing Trailfinders Academy in February 2024.
Simpson’s professional career commenced in 2006, where he is best remembered for his staggering 17 seasons with Wasps. The halfback racked up an impressive 230 appearances for the club, spanning the London and Coventry eras of Wasps. The club-trotting began in 2019, as Simpson enjoyed a short stint with Gloucester, before being called in as injury cover for Saracens scrum half Ivan van Zyl. Simpson would then move up to the North West for a six month run with Sale Sharks, after which he officially retired from the professional game.