Former England and Harlequins captain Chris Robshaw retires from rugby at 36 after shoulder injuries

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

The 36-year-old played in the US after leaving Harlequins but had an injury plagued the San Diego Legion and has now decided to take time out for his career.

Robshaw led England under former head coach Stuart Lancaster to their 2015 home world cup – a tournament in which they failed to advance from the group stage.

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

“After 18 years of professional rugby and a career I could only have dreamed of, I’m officially announcing my retirement from the great game,” said Robshaw. “After following three dislocated shoulders in quick succession, my body has told me to give the final whistle.

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

“I remember my mother taking me to my first mini rugby match – fueling the fire that led me to later play for and captain Harlequins and England. Doing this has given me opportunities that I could have imagined in terms of education, travel and experience.

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

“It has been a responsibility that I approach with respect, optimism and determination and I hope in the years to come I can use my experience and acquired knowledge to support other players on their journeys. Playing at the highest level comes with a lot of pressure and that brings a lot of highs and lows. My advice is to surround yourself with strong and friendly people, something I’ve been lucky enough to do.’

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

“I want to thank my teammates for pushing me to get better, for laughing with me and crying with me,” said Robshaw. “I want to thank every coach for their efforts to improve me as a player and a person, and every physio for getting me back on the field every week.

“To my mother 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 for most of my professional career – thank you for all you have done to make this possible.

“Nothing gives me more joy than to know that my son, Wilding, has been able to watch his father play a few games and I look forward to taking him to The Stoop, Twickenham or San Diego.

“Moving forward is a sadness, but I’m excited for the future of me and my family. Camilla and I have worked for great charities for many years but decided to start our own – The Kerslake Robshaw Foundation. Our goal is to help underprivileged young lives find their drive and passion through music and sport. This is a flame I think we all have within us. I have been lucky enough to have cherished that and I hope you can all support me in doing the same for others.”

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