Mathew Tait retires due to injury

Former England centre Mathew Tait has retired from rugby after failing to recover from an Achilles injury.

The 33-year-old's final game was against former club Sale at the end of last season.

"It isn't how I planned to finish up, this ongoing problem with my Achilles has caught up with me and, on the advice of people much more in the know than me, it's the right time to call it quits," Tait told the Leicester website.

Tait won 36 England caps between 2005 and 2010 and played 280 club matches, also winning the 2012 Premiership title and the 2017 Anglo-Welsh Cup with Leicester.

"I've been so fortunate to achieve many things in the game and it's hard to pinpoint one highlight, let alone a few, but obviously being able to win the Premiership with Tigers stands out, as well representing my country and, of course, playing in a World Cup Final," he said.

"I also think being able to have played against and alongside my brother Alex is something I'll always remember as being very special.

"I owe a lot to a lot of people who have made it possible for me to live out my dream and I thank every one of those people who have played a role from my school days, through Newcastle and Sale, England and, of course, here at Tigers."