by 
England wing Anthony Watson has retired from professional rugby union for medical reasons, it was announced on Friday.
The 30-year-old has had several injury problems during his career, the latest including a back problem.
Watson, who played for London Irish and Bath before joining Leicester, won 56 England Caps and appeared in other internationals during two tours with the British and Irish Lions.
He also featured in three England Six Nations winning squads and the 2019 World Cup in Japan, when England reached the final.
He made his final appearance for Leicester in early December.
“I am proud and blessed to have done what I have done throughout my career – to have represented my family, my country and two of the biggest clubs in the country,” Watson said in a Leicester statement .
“When I started, I wanted to make my father more than anyone proud, I wanted to play for England and the Lions with my parents in the crowd, and ultimately, I wanted to share a moment with my children on the pitch.
“I can say I did all these things.”
England manager Steve Borthwick said: “Anthony Watson is to be congratulated on an incredibly successful career.
“I have been fortunate to have coached Anthony at both Leicester Tigers and England. He is a humble, hardworking guy who is universally loved and admired in the game.
“Anthony not only brought his incredible talent to the England shirt every time he played, but he was also a player who took immense pride in representing his country.”
JDG / PB
