Former England scrumhalf calls it a day

NEWS: Danny Care has announced his retirement at the end of the 2024-25 Premiership season.

The former England scrumhalf concluded his international career shortly after winning his 100th cap during last year’s Six Nations, and will now bow out entirely from the sport.

The 38-year-old had initially agreed a one-year deal to remain at Harlequins until the end of the next campaign, but has brought forward his retirement after nearly 400 appearances in the colours of the west London club.

“We had a few narrow losses, but we are starting to click as a team. Everyone is playing their part.”

Care won two Premiership titles during his time at the Twickenham Stoop after making the move from Leeds Tykes nearly two decades ago.

“So, it’s finally time,” Care said. “Unfortunately, after 19 years of playing for this incredible club, I’m going to be retiring from rugby at the end of the season.

“I just wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for letting a lad from Leeds come down to this club and feel like home from day one. To all the fans. Thank you for everything you’ve given me and my family. As I said, you brought us into your hearts. You’ve sung my name louder than it’s ever deserved.

“And I can’t really put into words what representing this Club and playing in front of you all has meant to me.

“I’d also like to thank all my amazing teammates, all the coaches, staff members who have been a part of my career. I will be supporting this club forever, and I’ll always be a Quin.”

Having made his England debut in 2008, the scrumhalf has enjoyed a remarkable renaissance in recent years, having seemingly fallen out of favour before the 2019 World Cup.

Care’s key role in leading Harlequins to the Premiership crown in 2021, nine years after securing their first, forced a recall from Eddie Jones in 2022, before again being cast aside.

The arrival of Steve Borthwick as England head coach offered a surprise third chapter at international level, though, with Care a key part of the squad that reached the semifinals of the 2023 World Cup.