OP Rob Webber (94-04), Sale Sharks and former England hooker, has announced he will retire from professional rugby union at the end of the 2019-20 season. Webber has chosen to call time on a 16 year career after playing over 300 professional games for club and country.
On making the announcement, he said: “The time has come for me to hang up my playing boots at the end of the 19/20 Gallagher Premiership season. It has been an incredible journey over the last 16 years. The memories I have made will stay with me always, but I now feel it is time to pursue other opportunities within the game.” (Salesharks.com 11th February 2020)
Rob grew up playing Mini and Junior rugby at Pocklington Town RUFC, continuing his love of the game at Pocklington School. It was apparent to the 1st XV Rugby coach and teacher of Physics, Mr Binks, that Rob was destined for a bright rugby career. In his rugby report in the 2002-2003 edition of The Pocklingtonian Mr Binks wrote:
‘Having had the captaincy thrust upon him at a very young age, he proceeded to lead by example, “doing” in his undemonstrative way while galvanising those around him. His rugby future is very bright, and with international honours beyond his years already bestowed on him, he will, I have no doubt, be the first Pocklingtonian to win a full cap.’
Rob represented Leeds, Wasps and Bath Rugby before signing for Sale Sharks in preparation for the 2016-17 season, where he is reported to have found some of the best form of his career during more than 90 appearances for the club.
His international career began whilst he was still at Pocklington School, representing England at U16, U18 and U19 level and competing for England at the 2006 U21 Rugby World Championship. He was named in the England Saxons squad for the 2009 Churchill Cup and the Senior England squad ahead of the 2010 summer tour of Australasia, where he made his full international debut in a non-capped game against the New Zealand Maori. The 2012 Six Nations campaign saw him play against Italy in Rome, where he received his first England cap. Over the next four seasons Webber went on to win 16 caps for England, which included his World Cup debut in 2015, where he played in the opening match against Fiji at Twickenham.
Rob’s successful career is testimony to his love of the game, ambition and drive for excellence. He has never forgotten his Yorkshire roots and the people who have helped him along the way in his journey. In 2016, BT Sport featured Rob in the first of a series of mini documentaries entitled Grassroots to Greats for their Rugby Tonight programme. The programme focuses on Rob, his family, club and school coaches and match action from Pocklington RUFC Colts – certainly worth a watch!
Good luck Rob for the rest of the season and all the very best for the future!