England rugby star Anthony Watson forced to retire aged 30 or risk living in constant pain
ENGLAND and Leicester Tigers winger Anthony Watson has retired from professional rugby union on medical grounds.
The 30-year-old, who won 56 international caps, revealed that he must prioritise his family and avoid the risk of “living in constant pain.”
Watson made the last appearance of his career in December and played just seven times for Tigers over the past two seasons after a multitude of injuries.
A calf problem forced Watson to miss last year’s World Cup, after he was named to Steve Borthwick‘s provisional squad.
And a succession of Achilles issues and a back injury, that required surgery, limited him to just two games for Leicester last term.
Watson announced his retirement on Leicester Tigers YouTube channel this morning.
The former Rugby World Cup star said: “My overarching feeling is of pride.
“I’m proud and blessed to have done what I did through my career; to have represented my family, my country and two of the biggest clubs in the country.
“When I started out, I wanted to make my Dad more than anyone proud, I wanted to play for England and the Lions with my parents in the crowd and, eventually, wanted to share a moment with my children on the field. I can say I’ve done all those things.
“I’ve got a life after rugby, I’ve got to think about being able to play with my kids outside.
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“And I don’t feel that jeopardising that is fair on them or them constantly seeing me in pain or constantly having to go through all the stuff I have to go through just to be able to play.
“When I am at home icing, lying down on the sofa, hanging upside down, sitting with a laser on my back, it’s just non-stop and it takes away from family life.
“And I’m at the point now given the surgeons comments around where I’m at and combining that with wanting to be around and support and be the dad I should be, it’s kind of raised its head.”
Watson captioned a picture of him with his son on Instagram on New Years Eve: “Thank you 2024 for solidifying priorities and keeping the devil at bay. Stay Gucci everyone ”
The devoted family man has two children, son Kai and daughter Maya, with wife Alyse Watson.
Watson won his first England cap in 2014, coming off the bench against New Zealand for the Autumn Internationals, and started the rest of that series at just 20 years old.
Known for his rapid speed and try scoring ability, Watson celebrated his 50th cap at Allianz Stadium, where he scored a try and was named player of the match after beating France 23-20 during the 2021 Six Nations.
He was also part of the 2016 Six Nations Grand Slam winning team, as well as the sides that won the 2017 and 2020 editions.
Watson previously said in October that he concentrating on playing “pain-free” for Leicester again and that he had no immediate focus on an England recall after enduring a “horrendous road” to recovery.
He also played in two Rugby World Cups in 2015 and 2019, starting in the final defeat to South Africa in the latter.
The 56-capped England star also featured in two British & Irish Lions tours in New Zealand in 2017 and South Africa in 2021.
England coach Borthwick said. “Anthony is to be congratulated on a fantastically successful career.
“I was fortunate to have coached Anthony both at Leicester Tigers and England. He is a humble, hard-working professional man who is universally liked and admired in the game.
“We all wish him the best in the next chapter and thank him for everything he did for the England team.”
Watson appears likely to continue to play a key role in the game having been appointed a board member of Team England Rugby (TER).
Wife Alyse took to Instagram to honour her husband’s incredible, but cruel, career, writing: “I have learned that this game can be beautiful and so very cruel at the same time.
“Hand on heart, I do not know anyone who has dedicated more of themselves, their time, and their whole world to this game.
“You have constantly pushed yourself, overcome setbacks that no one ever thought possible, given 110 per cent to everything you’ve done, and achieved greatness.”
Watson made his professional debut in 2011 against Newcastle Falcons and became the youngest player to ever appear for London Irish in a Premiership match.
He scored his first tries for the club in their victory over Stade Montois on 20 October 2012.
On 25 April 2013 it was announced that Watson would join Bath for the following season.
In his first campaign at the club he scored a try in the final of the EPCR Challenge Cup as Bath finished runners up to Northampton Saints at Cardiff Arms Park.
The next season saw Watson start in their Premiership final defeat to Saracens before he joined Leicester in May 2022.