Longevity in the game of rugby union is a trait that is criminally underrated.
On average, a rugby player’s professional career tends to last 10-12 years, but there are some players who have defied the odds with their incredible longevity.
RUCK decided to take an interesting look back at the 2003 World cup, held in Australia, in which England emerged victorious.
The younger generation of rugby fans may not have a good recollection of the spectacle, but there are only three players who played in that tournament that are still active in rugby today.
So, which players still playing today were at the 2003 World Cup?
#1. Sergio Parisse (Italy)
Current club: Toulon
Parisse is to retire at the end of the season but is still hoping to win more caps before he hangs up his boots.
His retirement will bring an end to a 21-year playing career during which he has won two Top 14 titles and a Challenge Cup.
“I will finish next June. I know that after twenty years in professional rugby, there will be difficult moments,” Parisse told French rugby website Rugbyrama.
“I know that I will miss rugby and I am trying to prepare myself for this period of my life in the best possible conditions.”
The 39-year-old made his professional rugby debut with Benetton Treviso in 2003 but spent most of his career with Stade Français after racking up over 250 appearances with them between 2005 and 2019 before joining Toulon.
He is also the most-capped Italy player with 143 Test appearances and is still hoping to have one final display at the international level despite not being part of the Six Nations squad announced by Kieran Crowley.
“I haven’t given up on my international career. I still think I’m on the radar and if the coach calls me I’ll be happy to answer his call,” the Argentine-born Parisse said.
“In the meantime, I’m trying to concentrate on the things I can control: my fitness, my lifestyle, my performances.”