Wallaby Mitchell calls time on career

The 33-year-old Toulon wing, who can also play at fullback, will hang up his boots at the end of the season following a career that saw him score 34 tries in 71 tests for Australia.

"So it's my turn to call time on my rugby career! I've been very lucky to have had the experiences I've had in our great game," Mitchell posted on Twitter.

His compatriot and Toulon team-mate Matt Giteau tweeted in reply: "Nooooooo!! Been a real privilege babe.. Very sad day though."

Mitchell was widely considered one of the best finishers of his generation and was part of the Australia side that reached the 2015 World Cup final, having earlier that year won the Rugby Championship by beating fierce rivals New Zealand.

He also won the French league with Toulon in 2014 and back-to-back European Cups, including in 2015 – perhaps his greatest season – when his stunning individual try 10 minutes from time in the final against Clermont, that saw him beat six defenders, helped seal victory.

So it's my turn to call time on my rugby career!

I've been very lucky to have had the experiences I've had in our great game.

Thank you

— Drew Mitchell (@drew_mitchell) April 17, 2017

@drew_mitchell Nooooooo!! ??

Been a real privilege babe.. ????????

Very sad day though

— Matt Giteau (@giteau_rugby) April 17, 2017