Harlequins have today confirmed Chloe Edwards and Davinia Catlin will retire from rugby at the conclusion of the 2022/23 Allianz Premier 15s season.
The Club stalwarts, who are due to play their final match at The Stoop this Sunday against DMP Sharks, will hang up their boots following seven years at Harlequins and have a combined 174 appearances.
The duo joined Quins ahead of the 2016/17 season and since been key figures in the development of the Women’s Programme, forging successful careers in the Famous Quarters and helping the Club win the Allianz Premier 15s title in 2020/21.
With 106 appearances to her name, Edwards became the first women’s player in history to achieve 100 caps for Quins. The hard-working prop, who can play on both sides of the scrum, gained international recognition for England in 2019, featuring against the Barbarians, before winning her first Test cap against the USA. She also won the Women’s Premiership and Women’s Premiership Cup with Richmond in 2016 and represented University of Leeds and West Park Leeds RUFC.
Upon announcing her retirement, Edwards said: “When I first picked up a rugby ball, I never could have imagined that I would have such an amazing career. The rugby community is like no other and I feel really privileged to have been a part of it.
“Thank you to every coach who has guided me along the way, to all my incredible teammates who I’ve played alongside, and to my family and friends for their constant support. To Harlequins, thank you for providing me with the opportunity to play rugby for this amazing club. It has been an honour to pull on the Quarters for the past seven years and I will treasure the memories I have playing here.
“Finally, thank you to the fans for your endless unwavering support, regardless of our results, you have always turned up for us. You are truly the best supporters anyone could ask for. I look forward to cheering alongside you in the stands next season.”
Catlin made the move from Richmond to Harlequins ahead of the 2016/17 season. The hooker has since achieved 68 appearances and been a consistent and reliable performer in the Quins jersey. The all-round athlete, who competed at national level in judo, was a member of the 2020/21 title winning squad, and won the Women’s Premiership with Quins in 2016/17 and Richmond in 2015/16.
Catlin played her early rugby for Sutton and Epsom RFC, before enjoying success with England U20s, winning the Nations Cup on two occasions. She also played for Wasps FC and represented English Universities. Off the pitch, she is the owner of ‘The Winning Margin’, an independent sports shop based in Croydon. Catlin will now be returning to Sutton and Epsom RFC in a coaching role.
Speaking ahead of her retirement, Catlin commented: “It’s with great sadness I will be hanging up my boots after 16 seasons in formerly the Premiership and now the Premier 15s. I have forged life-long friends, made timeless memories, and won three Premiership titles. I still remember arriving at Wasps for my first training session at 17 and itching to play rugby. To this day I still have the same feeling, but the time is right to close this chapter and focus on my family and business.
“I have a huge amount of pride to finish playing rugby for the Club I supported as a young girl growing up in the local area. I have loved every minute of being part of such an incredible group of people throughout my time at Harlequins and felt so much joy playing in front of the Quins faithful each week. More importantly to my husband and family, who have made it easy to fulfil my dreams, through the up and downs of rugby, and managing childcare in between, thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Harlequins Head Coach Amy Turner congratulated both players and said: “We are very sad to see Chloe and Davinia retire from rugby. They have been outstanding leaders within our squad, using their extensive experience and knowledge to help drive standards and performance. They are true Harlequins who have contributed an enormous amount throughout their seven years at the Club. We look forward to celebrating their careers with the send-off they deserve with two strong performances against DMP and Worcester Warriors.”
With thanks to Harlequins
