Scotland full-back Stuart Hogg will retire from rugby after the World Cup

Scotland and Exeter Chiefs full-back Stuart Hogg will retire from rugby after this year’s World Cup.

Sportsmail understands the 30-year-old, who has 100 caps in Scotland and is his country’s top try-scorer with 27 touchdowns, is ready to retire from both club and international rugby.

If he does, the former Scotland captain will lower the curtain on a glittering career that also includes a Heineken Cup championship medal and English champions’ title with Exeter, as well as a PRO12 title with the Glasgow Warriors.

He has been on three consecutive British and Irish Lions tours – first called up to the tour when he was just 20 years old – and has won back-to-back Six Nations Player of the Championship Awards in 2016 and 2017.

It’s understood he’s keen on taking his wife and young children back to the limits after he takes Scotland to the World Cup in France, which is due to start in September this year.

Scotland full-back Stuart Hogg has announced his retirement from rugby after the World Cup

In his illustrious career, Hogg won the Premier League and Heineken Cup with Exeter

Hogg says his body can’t perform the way he expects and wants to work at full capacity

In a statement released on social media, titled “The Final Chapter”, Hogg wrote: “After RWC2023 my professional rugby journey will come to an end, I will be retiring from the game.”

“As a young king growing up in The Borders, all I wanted to do was play rugby for Scotland. I feel privileged to have represented my country on 100 occasions, played on three UK and Irish Lions tours and represented some great clubs. I couldn’t have asked for more.

“Rugby has allowed me to meet some incredible characters, make lifelong friends, travel the world and be part of some incredible experiences that I will treasure forever.

“Knowing what lies ahead makes me really hungry to play the best and most enjoyable rugby of my career and end the season strong with Exeter Chiefs before attacking the opportunity we have as a nation in France.

“I don’t feel like my body can match the standards I’ve set myself for much longer and I’ve always wanted to finish at the top end of the game.

“After the tournament, a new career beckons and I will attack it the same way I play the game. I hope I made you proud.’