Borthwick ready to retire
Former England captain and Saracens skipper Steve Borthwick has announced he will retire at the end of the season.
The 34-year-old says May 2014 will be the “right time” to close an illustrious 16-year playing career, which included leading Saracens to the 2011 Premiership title.
The lock forward has played an extraordinary 19,389 minutes of Premiership rugby so far, much more than anybody else, and has made 253 Premiership appearances , 129 as captain.
“Very few players have the chance to retire on their own terms,” Borthwick said.
“Saracens did ask me if I’d like to carry on but I feel that the time is right for me to finish playing at the end of the season.
“That’s still a few months away, and I am obviously 100% focussed on improving as a player and leading this team to the best of my ability.”
Mark McCall, Director of Rugby, said: “Steve has become a Saracens legend, as a leader, as a player, as man who sets the highest standards in everything he does.
“He will be sorely missed in due course but, for now, with Steve at the helm, we are focussed on Saturday’s match against Sale.”
