Exclusive: Ireland and Munster stalwart CJ Stander has ‘no regrets’ about rugby retirement

As the blockbuster Six Nations clash between England and Ireland looms on the horizon, CJ Stander is set to watch from afar with a mixture of emotions and a very different sense of perspective.

When those two international teams last went head to head almost a year ago to the day, Stander soaked up every moment in what was his final appearance for his beloved adopted nation.

The South Africa-born former Ireland number eight will always be an icon of Irish rugby, having featured in 51 Tests (winning 65 percent of them), while serving as an integral member of the squad that famously clinched the Grand Slam in 2018.

In the 2021 Six Nations, Stander remained central to the Ireland cause – playing every minute of the season – but it came against the backdrop of his surprise decision to retire from all forms of the game at the age of 30.

As fate would have it, Stander enjoyed a dream send-off as he produced yet another imposing performance to help Ireland clinch a memorable 32-18 victory over England at the conclusion of last year’s Six Nations campaign.

Since then, Stander and his family have relocated to the Western Cape town of Paarl in South Africa, with the former Munster superstar having quickly transitioned into a key role involving project planning and business procurement for a highly-successful construction company.

By all accounts, this new chapter of life has encompassed a steep learning curve, with Stander stepping into a wholly unfamiliar eight-to-five work day.

“All those lovely massages and naps that I used to have on my off days or on a big training week – they’re all gone,” he says with a laugh.

However, Stander is not the sort of character who looks back with any regrets.

“It honestly feels like a different