The generation of players that won multiple Six Nations titles and reached two World Cup semi-finals in the 2010s was a remarkable one. Maybe only second to the 1970s crop, that second golden generation achieved many great feats. Welsh rugby now finds itself in a considerably less successful place, with their struggles on the pitch well documented.
In fact, during Warren Gatland's ill-fated second stint, it was occasionally said that Wales had gone from a golden generation of players to a golden generation of pundits and commentators. TV work is certainly the most common avenue, alongside coaching, when players finish up playing. But not everyone went down that path. Here's what happened to some of the second golden generation's finest players.
Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric
Test rugby's most-capped player has enjoyed a varied career since calling time on his playing days in 2023. Last week, he was announced as a new board member at his former club, Ospreys. There's also been some steady punditry work on TV, while he also sits on a new board - the Swansea Rugby Community Board - created to steer the community side of the St Helen's stadium rebuild.
Outside of rugby, Jones has joined Swansea University as Strategic Adviser to the National Network for Innovation In Sport and Health (NNIISH), while he's also been tipped to take over from Jonathan 'Jiffy' Davies as the face of Velindre's charity bike rides. One of his passion projects is his coffee-infused rum liqueur, Mimosa Rwm Espiritu. He also reached the final of Celebrity Masterchef last year.
It was a pretty seamless transition for Tipuric after hanging up his blue scrum-cap in the summer of 2025. He immediately moved into the Ospreys' coaching staff, taking up a place as the club's defence coach.
Josh Navidi and Dan Biggar
After retiring due to a neck injury in 2023, there have been a few different ventures for the former back-row. However, the one that has really stuck is his work as a DJ - performing at various venues and major rugby matches. He also runs a eye-catching pink pop-up bar that can be seen at major sporting events in Cardiff.
The fly-half hung up his boots in 2025. Since then, he's gone on to work regularly as a rugby pundit and commentator, co-hosting podcasts like The Rugby Pod and The Debrief with Dan and Rog. He also works with Circle Health Group as an executive coach and leadership ambassador, while he serves as a non-executive director and shareholder at Great Days Golf.
Leigh Halfpenny and Ken Owens
The metronomic full-back finished up his playing days this summer after one last season with Cardiff. The move to coaching was an obvious one, having worked so closely with Neil Jenkins over the years. And, having spent the last two summers working with Wales on a temporary basis, Halfpenny - who was granted the freedom of Gorseinon last week - has taken up a job as Cardiff's kicking coach.
The much-loved hooker is another with a fairly varied career after rugby. There's been the usual punditry work, with Owens a regular for S4C throughout the season. But there's also a role with Welsh netball team Cardiff Dragons, serving as a non-executive director. He has also worked on hearings for European rugby matches, serving as part of an independent disciplinary committee.
George North, Gareth Davies and Jonathan Davies
The Wales and Lions icon brought the curtain down on his career in fitting fashion this summer, crossing for two tries for the Barbarians against his country. Wales' second-highest try-scorer had already prepared for retirement, building a business empire. He is a co-owner of the motorcycle-inspired cafe Baffle Haus in Wales, while he's also invested in Ground Bakery.
Having announced his Test retirement in 2024, scrum-half Davies is still going strong for the Scarlets - entering a 19th season with the west Walians. Away from rugby, Davies has launched a start-up estate agency called 'Blackbear Property' in Haverfordwest, with the business aiming to "bring a fresh take on the traditional estate agency".
The powerful centre, who was named Lions player of the series in 2017, has become a staple on BBC Scrum V since hanging up his boots. He's also moved into coaching, landing a job at Christ College in Brecon last year as their coach of elite performance.
