Former England scrum-half Joe Simpson, who played for Wasps, Saracens, Gloucester, Bath and Sale, has retired from professional rugby union, aged 34.
Paying tribute, close friend and long-time teammate Cipriani wrote: “Congratulations Simmo! Super talented player! Gave it 100% every game and training session! Best pre game team talks ever too.”
“I have been lucky to play all over the world,” Simpson told the Sharks club website.
“In Toulon, in Toulouse, at night in packed-out stadiums, that is when you realise how far you have come.”
“I have played in a Premiership final with Wasps,” Simpson added. “That was probably the closest team I have played in, that was my team.
“Being out there on the pitch and you look around and see your closest friends, that is very special.
“I am also enormously proud of my England appearance [against Georgia in New Zealand]. I think I actually took it for granted at the time, I didn’t fully appreciate how big it was.”
Fans Have Ranked the 5 Biggest Wastes of Talent in England Rugby History
England rugby’s recent past is full of young bright lights expected to develop into star players but who never reached their potential.
RUCK asked rugby fans to pick the five players they were most hyped for when they were breaking through into the England set-up.
The poll has not finished yet so the results have been taken at the timing of writing.
#5. Christian Wade
- Caps: 1
- Position: Winger
The 2013 British & Irish Lion quit Wasps in order to pursue a lucrative career in the NFL, having grown disillusioned with rugby union. The 29-year-old was one of the most recognised names in the domestic game, but his continued absence from the international set-up – having won just one England cap on the 2013 tour of Argentina – had left him frustrated and fed up of continuously being overlooked. What a waste.
