Hogg regrets his retirement: “Biggest mistake” in trying to save marriage

Stuart Hogg Confesses Regret After Rugby Retirement

Former Scotland captain Stuart Hogg has revealed that his retirement from rugby was an attempt to save his marriage, a decision he now considers the “biggest mistake of his life”. Hogg, who ended his career in 2023 at the age of 31, shortly before the World Cup of that same year, resumed playing in 2024 by signing for the French club Montpellier, after a turbulent period outside of the sport. In November 2024, the British and Irish lion admitted to having abused his estranged wife, Gillian, and was sentenced to a five-year non-harassment order and fined for violating bail by repeatedly contacting his ex-partner.

Hogg acknowledges having caused harm to those around him, but has now managed to re-establish some stability in his life.

I missed the excitement, the outfits, the jokes. I missed rugby more than I ever imagined.

Stuart Hogg

Hogg added:

I gave up my rugby career to try and save my marriage. At that time I didn’t know who I was.

Stuart Hogg

The former player continued:

I was up to my eyebrows in antidepressants. I didn’t know what was going on in life, if I was making people happy or sad. I used alcohol to escape. I simply existed.

Stuart Hogg

The Doddie Aid charity cycle from Scotland to Rome changed his perspective. “For the first time since I retired, I felt part of a team again. I went back and told my father: ‘I’ve made the biggest mistake of my life'”. “I’m in a better place mentally than I have been in years. I used to think being selfish was a strength, but I took it too far. I hurt people. “Now I am learning to be selfless for the right reasons: for my children, my partner, my team. I know I will never be the same Stuart Hogg I was, but I am okay with that. I have found peace.” Hogg, who won 100 matches with Scotland and made two test appearances for the Lions, underwent Achilles surgery in April and has yet to play for Montpellier this season.