England’s most capped player Rochelle Clark has retired from international rugby, 15 years after earning her first cap.
The 37-year-old made 137 international appearances, surpassing Jason Leonard’s previous record of 114 in November 2016, before going on to feature in her fourth Women’s Rugby World Cup last summer.
✅ 137 caps
✅ England’s most capped player
✅ The most capped women’s player ever@RockyClark_1 announces the end of her international career: https://t.co/57kNvpKxOP pic.twitter.com/edFzMYvP07
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) July 31, 2018
She retires as the world’s most capped women’s international, ahead of fellow Red Rose Tamara Taylor and former Scotland international Donna Kennedy, who both have 115 caps.
“It’s with a heavy heart that I have decided it is time to retire from international rugby,” said Clark.
“To receive my first cap was a dream come true and it was with the same pride and hunger that I walked out a further 136 times for England. It was always an honour and a privilege to take to the pitch wearing the rose.
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“I look back on my 15-year England career and think of the friends I have made and the opportunities we were given. I have shared some incredible experiences with so many great people.”
The Wasps loose-head prop made her England debut in 2003 and was awarded an MBE for Services to Rugby in the 2015 New Year’s Honours List, having been part of the Red Roses’ 2014 winning World Cup squad.