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#Post#: 157934--------------------------------------------------
Chis retires from Rugby
DIR By: Fearless Fred
Date: October 1, 2026, 9:03 am
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Chisholm retires from rugby union
HTML https://www.quins.co.uk/article/chisholm-retires-from-rugby-union
[img width=400
height=251]
HTML https://images.ctfassets.net/r21395x2xyi6/6JEBQcswMVF63tD0aw7J1f/8fd22a9b9bdea7cb84b74f07cdfa9ad9/Screenshot_2026-10-01_at_12.45.28.png?fit=thumb&q=80&fm=webp&w=1600&h=[/img]
James Chisholm - Harlequins
Harlequins can today confirm that James Chisholm has retired
from professional rugby union with immediate effect.
The one-club man steps away from the game with 164 appearances
and 21 tries to his name, bringing down the curtain on a career
that made him a fixture of the first team for more than a
decade.
The 31-year-old back rower retires having been unable to return
to fitness following an Achilles rupture sustained in January
2025.
Chisholm's rugby journey began at Haywards Heath RFC in West
Sussex and he started training with the Harlequins Academy as an
Under-13, before joining the programme full-time from 2013. He
made his senior debut that same year in the Anglo-Welsh Cup
against Exeter Chiefs, with his PREM debut following soon after.
[img width=400
height=266]
HTML https://images.ctfassets.net/r21395x2xyi6/3xsAuVniuSiJA4qVaGDEe5/2c2794dd41d62364bc75e40ed8ba64be/SBA_9183_2021062681350347.JPG?fit=thumb&q=80&fm=webp&w=1600&h=[/img]
James Chisholm lifts the 2020/21 Gallagher PREM trophy
Alongside his early years at Quins, Chisholm quickly rose
through the age-grade ranks with England, helping the U20s win
the Junior World Championship in 2014 and the Six Nations title
in 2015. That year he was named World Rugby U20 Championship
Player of the Year, later earning selection for England Saxons,
who beat South Africa 2-0 in a series in June 2016.
Known for combining dynamism in open play with a dominant
presence at the contact area, Chisholm won the club's Player of
the Season award in 2016/17 and 2017/18, and the Players' Player
of the Season award in 2016/17. He would continue to leave his
mark both on and off the field in the quarters until present
day.
During his time at Quins, Chisholm played alongside his brother
Ross (Harlequins Women Head Coach) for several seasons and was a
key member of the squad that lifted the Gallagher PREM trophy in
2020/21, scoring a memorable try at Ashton Gate in the play-off
comeback against Bristol Bears.
[img width=400
height=283]
HTML https://images.ctfassets.net/r21395x2xyi6/6BZuAo1rEarZ40vZ9Bn0j/1887ce86373ec0fb96e5741cf099cb60/2014_2015.jpg?fit=thumb&q=80&fm=webp&w=1600&h=[/img]
James (middle), Ross (left), Ali (right) Chisholm all in action
for Harlequins
“Obviously, it’s been a bit of an uphill battle with the
recovery from my Achilles injury, and unfortunately my body just
can’t get there. I still have the want to play and was really
looking forward to this season and gave pre-season my all. We
tried everything but I just couldn’t get there. I feel ok about
it all, and I am at peace with the decision now,” said James
Chisholm, in a club interview with his brother, Ross.
“The Stoop has been an awesome place to play my rugby, and I
would like to thank everyone that has supported me. To my
teammates, coaches and anyone that has ever come to support me,
talk to me and cheer me on – thank you so much. It’s been an
incredible experience, and the love you feel from this place
(The Stoop) is really powerful, even when you’re not playing so
well.
“The energy our Mum and Dad put into our careers and into us as
children, so we could do everything we did was massively
important – I hope they know how thankful we are.
“It’s helpful having friends both in and out of rugby. It has
shown me that there is a life on the other side. I don’t know
what will make me sad or what elements I will miss, but I know
there is happiness beyond just playing rugby, and I am looking
forward to it.”
[img width=400
height=255]
HTML https://images.ctfassets.net/r21395x2xyi6/4QAYV1o79eN6vADpsG6FM3/d9d8f9b5fd3f772155b247d14ca653e7/2016_2017.jpg?fit=thumb&q=80&fm=webp&w=1600&h=[/img]
James Chisholm scoring the winner versus Stade Francais in
2016/17
On Chisholm’s career as a Harlequin, Head Coach Jason Gilmore
added: “Chis (James Chisholm) has been an unbelievable servant
to the Club. He’s been a formidable player on the pitch and a
great character off it too, he’s a team-first man who has been
so good for our environment, even through the tough moments he
has experienced.
“Being a one-club man is rare these days too, so to have played
his whole career as a Harlequin is a fantastic achievement. It’s
disappointing for him, and us, that his time representing the
Club on the pitch has come to a premature end. We’re committed
to supporting him through the next steps of his career, whatever
that may be.
“On behalf of everyone associated with the programme, I want to
thank Chis for his contribution to Harlequins, and we all wish
him nothing but the best of luck in his next chapter. Once a
Quin, always a Quin.”
#Post#: 157935--------------------------------------------------
Re: Chis retires from Rugby
DIR By: Archquin
Date: October 1, 2026, 9:06 am
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At least we now know - All the best for the future
#Post#: 157936--------------------------------------------------
Re: Chis retires from Rugby
DIR By: JammyGit
Date: October 1, 2026, 9:13 am
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A real shame. A great servant to the club, who worked hard on
his weaknesses and became a real asset. Never lost his explosive
power and energy he brought to the side.
I think the timing of this has done the club a disservice,
would've been better if we could have signed a replacement 6
months ago
#Post#: 157938--------------------------------------------------
Re: Chis retires from Rugby
DIR By: MaidstoneQuin
Date: October 1, 2026, 9:36 am
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Always a solid performer, a bit like Lawday. Sad end really
being blighted by injuries.
With Alex out for essentially the season and now James gone,
thats a fair bit of medical joker/salary cap breathing space.
I'll be very surprised if we don't get anyone in as I think
(experienced)cover will be needed.
#Post#: 157939--------------------------------------------------
Re: Chis retires from Rugby
DIR By: FishQuin
Date: October 1, 2026, 9:38 am
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A terrific talent whose career was blighted by injuries. All the
best Chis.
Does leave our backrow stock looking a little bare now, with
Dombrandt out injured.
#Post#: 157940--------------------------------------------------
Re: Chis retires from Rugby
DIR By: FrostAndFire
Date: October 1, 2026, 9:47 am
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Poor guy. He was very good for us. Hard when an injury ends it
before you were ready to retire.
#Post#: 157941--------------------------------------------------
Re: Chis retires from Rugby
DIR By: Twickersquin
Date: October 1, 2026, 10:25 am
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Sad day , great servant to the club and never let us down. With
him and Dombrandt missing are pack is looking a bit lightweight
on hit and experience. Have a great retirement Chis.
#Post#: 157942--------------------------------------------------
Re: Chis retires from Rugby
DIR By: FatQuin
Date: October 1, 2026, 10:25 am
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A shame but feels like this was inevitable. The question now is
what happens given we’ve lost him Lawday and Dommers
(temporarily at least) in the space of a summer. That’s a
serious back row on its own.
#Post#: 157943--------------------------------------------------
Re: Chis retires from Rugby
DIR By: never sleep
Date: October 1, 2026, 10:25 am
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It is worth watching the last 5 minutes of this game
HTML https://tinyurl.com/nrbafztb
Marcus looks rather young too :-)
#Post#: 157944--------------------------------------------------
Re: Chis retires from Rugby
DIR By: KentQuin
Date: October 1, 2026, 10:34 am
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--- Quote from: MaidstoneQuin link ---
>
> Always a solid performer, a bit like Lawday. Sad end really
being blighted by injuries.
>
> With Alex out for essentially the season and now James gone,
thats a fair bit of medical joker/salary cap breathing space.
I'll be very surprised if we don't get anyone in as I think
(experienced)cover will be needed.
>
--- End Quote ---
Better than solid in my opinion. Always brought an abrasive edge
and that extra bit of power. Our best back row combination of
recent times was him at blindside alongside Dommers and one of
Wev/Kenningham.
The type of player champion winning squads are built on.
Quality, but never quite in the mix for international honours.
Shame he couldn't go out on his own terms.
Agree on cover. We're only one back row injury away from a
crisis. We need to bring in an 8/6 who can offer some real
go-forward. Not sure who'll be available though. If he hasn't
found a club since leaving Newcastle, someone like Mafi might be
a stop gap.
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