Former England and Harlequins captain Chris Robshaw retires from rugby

Former England and Harlequins captain Chris Robshaw retires from rugby aged 36 following three recent shoulder injuries as he hails ‘a career I could only have dreamt of’

• Chris Robshaw earned 66 England caps, captaining his country in 43 matches
• He led England under former head coach Stuart Lancaster at World Cup in 2015
• Two-time Premiership players of the Year led Quins to their first Premiership title 

Former England captain Chris Robshaw has announced his retirement from rugby.

The 36-year-old had been playing in the USA after leaving Harlequins but had an injury-plagued spell with San Diego Legion and has now decided to call time on his career.

Robshaw led England under former head coach Stuart Lancaster at their home World Cup in 2015 – a tournament at which they failed to progress from the pool stages.

Chris Robshaw earned 66 England caps, captaining his country in 43 matches

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That failure will always be inextricably linked to Robshaw’s spell at international level but it shouldn’t detract from his time in the game which included 66 Test caps.

‘After 18 years of professional rugby and a career I could only have dreamt of, I am officially announcing my retirement from the great game,’ Robshaw said. ‘Following three dislocated shoulders in quick succession my body has told me to blow the final whistle.

‘No words can do justice to how fortunate and privileged I am to have enjoyed a career in the sport I am most passionate about.

‘I remember my mum taking me to my first mini rugby game – sparking the fire that led me to later play for and captain Harlequins and England. In doing so, I have been afforded opportunities beyond anything I could have imagined in terms of education, travel and experience.

 The two-time Premiership players of the Year led Quins to their first Premiership title

‘Playing for and captaining England has been the greatest honour of my life and there is no comparable feeling to representing and leading your country.

‘It was a responsibility I approached with respect, optimism and determination and I hope in the coming years I can use my experience and knowledge gained to support other players on their journeys. Playing at the top level comes with a lot of pressure and with that comes many highs and lows. My advice is to surround yourself with strong and kind people, something I was lucky to have.’ 

Robshaw also captained Harlequins and in 2012, lifted the Premiership title. It was his club’s first league victory in the top-flight of English rugby. He left Harlequins in 2020.

Robshaw has set up a sport and music charity with wife Camilla

‘I want to thank my team-mates for pushing me to be better, for laughing with me and for crying with me,’ Robshaw said. ‘I want to thank each coach for their commitment to improving me as a player and a person and each physio for getting me back on to the pitch each week.

‘To my mum and family, thank you for supporting me from my first game as a boy to my last as a man. To my wife, Camilla, you have been my rock throughout most of my professional career – thank you for everything you have done to make it possible.

‘Nothing brings me greater joy than knowing my son, Wilding, was able to see his dad play a game or two and I look forward to taking him down to The Stoop, Twickenham or to San Diego.

‘Moving forward there is a sadness but I am excited for mine and my family’s future. Camilla and I have spent many years working with amazing charities but have decided to start our own – The Kerslake Robshaw Foundation. Our aim is to support disadvantaged young lives find drive and passion through music and sport. This is a flame I believe we all have inside us. I was lucky enough to have that nurtured and hope you can all support me in doing the same for others.’

Elsewhere, Bath have signed two more Worcester players on short-term deals after the Warriors entered administration and were suspended from the Gallagher Premiership.

Jamie Shillcock and Billy Searle have followed Ollie Lawrence, Ted Hill and Fergus Lee-Warner in making the move from Sixways to The Rec.

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