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 after signing for the French club Montpellier, after a turbulent period away from the sport.
In November 2024, the British and Irish Lions player admitted to abusing 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.
In an interview, Hogg stated:I missed the enthusiasm, the locker room, the jokes. I missed rugby more than I ever imagined.
Stuart Hogg
The Doddie Aid cycle from Scotland to Rome changed everything. 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’. Hogg adds:I gave up my rugby career to try and save my marriage. At that moment, I didn’t know who I was. I was submerged in antidepressants. I didn’t know what was happening in life, if I was making people happy or sad. I used alcohol to escape. I simply existed.
Stuart Hogg
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.I’m in a better place mentally than I’ve been in years. I used to think being selfish was a strength, but I went too far. I hurt people. Now I’m learning to be selfless for the right reasons: for my children, my partner, my team. I know I’ll never be the same Stuart Hogg I once was, but I’m okay with that. I’ve found peace.
Stuart Hogg
