England and Leicester prop Cole to retire

England and Leicester Tigers prop Dan Cole will retire at the end of season.

The 38-year-old is the second most capped men's player in England history, having made 118 appearances for his country.

Cole, who also twice toured with the British and Irish Lions, came through Leicester's academy and has played 340 senior games and won four Premiership titles with his boyhood club.

Cole said his decision to retire had been influenced by Ben Youngs, his long-time team-mate for club and country, who recently announced he would be hanging up his boots.

With decorated 39-year-old Tigers full-back Mike Brown also retiring, captain Julian Montoya moving on at the end of the season and former Tigers and England team-mate Geoff Parling returning to the club as head coach, the front-rower believes "this is the best time for me to finish playing".

"I believe, with Ben Youngs, Julian Montoya and others that are in and around my age ending their time at the club at the end of the season, plus the new chapter next season with Geoff Parling coming in as head coach, it's time for the club to kick-on and the right time for me to go," he told the club website, external.

"As you get older, physically it's definitely harder to carry on and, looking around the changing room, I am 10 years older than most of the guys in there with me and that's challenging as well.

"I don't want to be the old guy, just sat around and hanging on to something for too long."

More to follow.