England hooker Tom Youngs has confirmed his retirement from professional rugby due to personal reasons.
The 35-year-old retires after making 215 appearances for Leicester Tigers, as well as gaining 28 Test caps for England and three for the British & Irish Lions.
He took indefinite leave from the club in October to care for his ill wife and last featured for Tigers in the Premiership last season.
Speaking about the decision to retire, Youngs said: “I had always planned around this season being my last and I am comfortable with the timing of it now.
“I have no regrets and, looking back, am proud of what I have achieved at the only club I ever wanted to play for.”
A second-generation Tiger, Youngs is the son of former Leicester scrum-half Nick Youngs and spent his career playing alongside brother, Ben, at club and international level.
Together, the father and sons have made more than 630 first-team appearances for the club.
On his family connection to the club, Youngs added: “There has always been a connection to the club, with dad playing for Tigers, and I have memories from an early age of hearing about what that was like for him and what it meant to him.
“To be able to do what I have done, alongside my brother and after my dad, is just magical. I couldn’t have written it any better.”
Tom’s wife Tiffany was diagnosed with cancer in 2014. Her illness saw him pull out of England’s tour of New Zealand that summer so he could care for her.
He returned to the international scene the following year, winning the last of his England caps in October 2015 at the Rugby World Cup.
“To my wife Tiff and daughter Maisie, I am lucky to have you alongside me and would not be where I am without you,” Youngs said. “Thank you both.”