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Daily hails rugby ‘legend’ on front page after shock retirement

A daily newspaper has paid tribute after the “shock” retirement of an international rugby union player aged 29.

The Western Mail dedicated its front page yesterday to Sam Warburton, former captain of Wales and the British & Irish Lions, describing him as an “absolute legend”.

Warburton won 74 caps for Wales and four caps for the Lions, but had not played since last year after being sidelined by knee and neck surgery.

The Cardiff-based Mail and its Wales Online sister website covered the announcement of his retirement extensively in today’s paper and online.

Warburton

Mail editor Catrin Pascoe told HTFP: “This was the natural choice as our front page today.

“Sam Warburton’s retirement after such an epic rugby career was the story to go for – a fact backed up by the audience and engagement Wales Online’s real-time digital analytics have shown since the shock announcement was made.

“We have brilliant coverage and analysis inside from our writers including Wales’ Sports Journalist of the Year Ben James and our editor-in-chief Paul Rowland, so this was a great way to showcase that content.

“The Western Mail is known for its eye-catching poster fronts for major sporting events and we felt this was such an occasion. Sam has been a fantastic ambassador for Wales.”