Wasps have confirmed that Edd Shervington will retire at the end of the season.
The 31-year-old hooker has made 31 appearances for Wasps during his two seasons at the club, having joined from Worcester Warriors in 2014. Shervington has also represented Wales at age-group levels, as well as Neath and Ospreys, where he played until 2010.
Shervington’s future plans are suitably left-field for one of the game’s great characters. Alongside returning to Wales to dedicate more time to his young family and successful farming business, Edd assures us he will also be turning his hand to treading the boards.
A keen singer with a passion for musicals and theatre, Shervington is keen to investigate a post rugby career in the West End.
He said: “I’m sure a few people will think my West End ambitions are a wind-up. Let’s just say I’m not always seen as the most serious bloke in the game, but I would genuinely love to try something different and to follow another of my passions, just like rugby has been for the past 12 years.
“The family farming business is going really well back home and I feel the time is right to hang up the boots and to try a new challenge.
“I would like to thank everyone at Wasps for such an enjoyable two years, particularly our owner Derek Richardson, who has been phenomenal for the club, as well as being a really decent guy.
“I’d also like to thank Dai and the coaches for the opportunities and support they’ve given me and the players for such a memorable couple of seasons. We have a great bunch of guys here at Wasps and it’s been a pleasure to be part of such a tight squad, which has reached a European Semi Final and still has a Premiership Semi Final to look forward to.
“I’ve been fortunate to enjoy over a decade playing a sport I love as a job, and I will take incredible memories with me of this period in my life. My best wishes for the future go to everyone I have played alongside and against, and a big thank-you goes to Wasps’ fans for their support over the past couple of seasons.”
Wasps’ Director of Rugby Dai Young added: “I’d like to wish Edd and his family the best of luck for their next steps. Edd has been a great addition to the squad, not only for his strength at the set piece but also for his off-field presence.
“His sense of humour is sometimes an acquired taste, but he has created a lot of laughs among the squad throughout his time here and we wish him the very best for the future.”