James Haskell to retire at the end of the season

England and Northampton Saints flanker James Haskell has announced that he will retire from professional rugby at the end of the 2018/19 season following an injury-plagued campaign with Saints this term.

The 34-year-old has been struggling with recurring ankle and toe problems, and after 77 Tests in an England shirt spanning 11 years, he has decided to call time on his rugby career.

“...Retiring is obviously a really difficult decision for me to make; professional rugby has been the centre of my life for such a long time now and while it’s weird to imagine living without it, I look to the future with huge excitement," said Haskell.

“I look back at my career and have been very lucky to have done most things there are to do in rugby. Sadly, I will never know what it’s like to win a World Cup or represent the Barbarians.

“Finally, I would not have achieved what I have in this sport without the continued support of my amazing wife, my family, and my friends. To them all, I am incredibly grateful.”

In addition to his 77 England caps - where he featured in two world cups and won three six nations titles - Haskell made over 200 appearances for Wasps, splitting two spells at the club with stints at Stade Français, Ricoh Black Rams and the Highlanders, as well as touring with the British & Irish Lions to New Zealand in 2017.