Worcester Warriors back-row Matt Cox to retire at end of season

Worcester Warriors back-row Matt Cox has announced that he will retire from professional rugby at end of the 2020/21 season.

Cox made his professional rugby debut with the Warriors in 2008 and switched to Gloucester Rugby in 2010 before rejoining Worcester ahead of the 2014/15 season. He has gone on to play 102 appearances for the club spread across two stints.

He has also represented England at the Under-18s to Under-20s levels apart from the Sevens side.

The 33-year-old has not played since the foot injury that he sustained during the pre-season fixture against Northampton and now is looking to focus on his business.

“Once you get into your thirties you know that your rugby career is coming to an end, the dream has to stop at some stage,” he told the club's official website.

“You have a shelf life in rugby which is both a blessing and a curse. It is a blessing to have the chance to enjoy that lifestyle, but it’s a curse because it’s short-lived.

“I learnt that from Andy Hazell at Gloucester. When I was there, he was in his twilight years and he’d set up his own business installing home cinemas.

“The business was so successful that it started to push rugby out of his life. It’s a lesson for a lot of youngsters that rugby is not going to be forever. You are not going to retire at 30 and then do nothing.

"You are going to have to try and find something that you enjoy doing, that gets you out of bed in the morning.”

Worcester Warriors director of rugby Alan Solomons thanked Cox for his contributions to the club.

“Coxy is a homegrown player, who has given tremendous service to the club,” said Solomons.

“It was really terrific to see him get his 100th cap at Exeter last season.

“Coxy will be missed by all of us here at Warriors. We wish him all the best for the future and can assure him that he will always be very welcome here at Sixways.”

Worcester Warriors are languishing at the bottom of the Gallagher Premiership table after managing to win just three out of their 21 games.