England legend and World Cup winner confirms retirement

Reed enjoyed a decorated career, clinching Grand Slams, Six Nations titles, and the inaugural WXV1 with England. However, she was overlooked for this year’s Women’s Six Nations squad, having not featured since John Mitchell took over as head coach.

Born and bred in Bristol, Reed has been a one-club player throughout her senior career. Her final appearance came in the Bears' Premiership Women’s Rugby semi-final defeat to eventual champions Gloucester-Hartpury.

“After 16 seasons and nearly 200 appearances for club and country, it's time for me to hang up my boots and bring an end to my playing career,” said Reed.

“From school sevens fields to winning the World Cup – it’s been one helluva ride! Through every success and failure, I’ve always given 100% for myself, my team, and the supporters. I can walk away knowing I gave it my all and have no regrets.”

“To the fans: Thank you for being incredible. I’ll always remember that pitch-side roar – it’s the stuff dreams are made of. None of this would’ve been possible without you. Please keep showing up, and together we can make amazing things happen, especially with England 2025 on the horizon.”

As Reed steps away from the field, her impact on English rugby will be felt for years to come.

With several experienced names likely heading on the Lions tour, these four uncapped players deserve a shot to make their mark in the white jersey.

A lethal finisher with footwork to rival the best, Gabriel Ibitoye has been electric since returning to Harlequins after stints in France and Israel. The 26-year-old brings a unique blend of pace, power, and unpredictability that England’s backline has sorely missed.

Ibitoye’s ability to create something out of nothing makes him a nightmare for defenders, and his defensive work has also improved significantly. If Borthwick wants a dynamic threat out wide, Ibitoye is ready to answer the call.

A classy operator in the midfield, Max Ojomoh has been knocking on the England door for a while. With smooth distribution, intelligent running lines, and a solid defensive presence, the Bath centre offers a well-rounded skillset.

Ojomoh’s ability to play at inside centre or shift to 13 gives Borthwick tactical flexibility, and his understanding of space makes him a creative link between the forwards and backs. With Ollie Lawrence a regular now, pairing him with Ojomoh could add another dimension to England’s attack.

Versatility is gold at international level, and Oscar Beard offers just that.

Capable of slotting in at centre or on the wing, the 22-year-old has been a standout performer for Harlequins this season.

His physicality in defence, coupled with his pace and power in attack, make him an exciting option for England. Beard’s ability to cover multiple positions could be invaluable, especially with Borthwick’s focus on adaptability.

At just 20 years old, Afolabi Fasogbon is already making waves as one of the most promising front-row prospects in English rugby.

The powerful loosehead, who has been a standout for London Irish before their collapse, possesses impressive scrummaging technique and a growing presence in the loose. Fasogbon’s physicality and work rate around the park show he’s ready for the step up. With England looking to build for the future, giving the youngster a taste of international rugby now could pay dividends down the line.

From the early days of professionalism to the modern era, England has seen a host of legendary captains wearing the armband.

Whether it's the grit of Will Carling in the 90s, the tactical brilliance of Martin Johnson, or the fearless leadership of Owen Farrell, this quiz will challenge even the most dedicated fans.

Think you can name them all? Grab your boots and let's see how well you know the men who led England into battle on the world stage!