One of English rugby’s most-capped internationals has announced that he will retire from the professional game at the end of this season.

England and British & Irish Lions tighthead prop Dan Cole announced on Tuesday he will hang up his boots, aged 38.

Cole came through Leicester’s academy before becoming his country’s second-most capped player on 118 appearances, behind teammate Ben Youngs.

The veteran scrum anchor won three Six Nations titles and featured at four Rugby World Cups. He also played three Tests in two Lions series and made his last England appearance in November.

“It has not been an easy decision at all,” Cole said in a Leicester statement. “I have been to-ing and fro-ing; however, I think this is the best time for me to finish playing.

“I don’t want to be the old guy, just sat around and hanging on to something for too long,” he added.

Cole’s Leicester sit second in the Premiership table with one game of the regular season to play.

© Agence France-Presse

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