Injury forces England international Jack Clifford to retire at 27

Harlequins have confirmed that England international Jack Clifford has announced retirement from professional rugby with immediate effect on medical grounds.

The 27-year-old suffered shoulder dislocation while playing for the Quins on his 100th game in September last year and has undergone surgeries since then. However, he has not been able to overcome the two surgeries which he underwent to address the injury.

“I am absolutely gutted to be have to call time on my career at a relatively early stage," Clifford expressed his disappointment in a statement released by the club.

"I have been at Quins since I was 13 years old and made so many good friends here. It has been an absolute pleasure training and playing with the lads each week and I will miss this environment greatly.

"I feel proud to have reached 100 appearances for Quins and it is ironic that the injury was sustained in my 100th game!”

The back-row has been a product of Harlequins Academy and went on to make his senior debut for the club in November 2012 during the Anglo-Welsh game against Northampton Saints.

Clifford has also captained England Under 20 to Junior World Championship title in 2013 and had also represented England Under 18, England Sevens and England XV before making his Test debut in 2016. He has gone to make 10 Test appearances for England with his last game coming during the Six Nations in 2017.\

“It is with sadness that Jackman has been forced to retire from the game prematurely after another serious injury. I have been a huge fan of Jack from my days as an opposition coach and was delighted to be part of an England staff who awarded him his first of ten England caps," said Director of rugby Paul Gustard.

"He was a player who had the ability to change a game with his explosive pace and offloading skills which, allied to his high work rate, meant he was an important player for us last season when he was a mainstay of the side who finished fifth."