Former England scrum-half Joe Simpson announces retirement

Former England scrum-half Joe Simpson has announced his decision to retire from professional rugby with immediate effect.

Simpson was recently part of Sale Sharks after signing a short-term deal with them but played most of his club career with Wasps between 2006 and 2019.

He also represented Gloucester and had loan stints with Blackheath, Saracens and Bath Rugby making 221 Premiership appearances combined and has one appearance for England that came in the 2011 World Cup.

“The biggest things I will take away from rugby are the bonds I have made with people," he told the club's official website.

"The world of rugby is a very special place, you put your body on the line and you make sacrifices, and it creates a thicker, deeper bond than you can make anywhere else. Through adversity, pain, suffering, sacrifice you become very close.

“I have been lucky to play all over the world; in Toulon, in Toulouse, at night in packed out stadiums, that is when you realise how far you have come. I have played in a Premiership final with Wasps.

"That was probably the closest team I have played in, that was my team. Being out there on the pitch and you look around and see your closest friends, that is very special."