Tindall played at outside centre as England beat Australia to win the 2003 ...

Mike Tindall has become the final member of England’s 2003

World Cup-winning team

to retire.

The former England captain was player-coach at Gloucester last season but has not been offered a new contract.

The 35-year-old centre, who joined Gloucester from Bath in 2005, won 75 caps for his country.

“It’s time to retire,”

he tweeted. 

“I have been lucky to play with/against some great players, two great clubs and have had some amazing times.”

“You have to face the big bad world sometime and now is the right time to do that”

Mike Tindall
Ex-England centre

Tindall’s decision comes four days after former team-mate and close friend

Iain Balshaw

became the penultimate member of the 2003 World Cup-winning side to retire.

Tindall, who captained England in 2011, played 181 games for Gloucester.

He

told the Gloucester Citizen newspaper 

he could have played for two more years but did not want to turn out for another club.

“International rugby and the Lions are great but club rugby is your bread and butter and dictates where you go in your life,” he explained.

“I had to ask myself if I wanted to go and play somewhere else. Can you get emotionally attached to another club? I don’t think you can.

“I wouldn’t have thought I will be back. You have to face the big bad world sometime and now is the right time to do that.”

World Cup winners – Where are they now?

Sir Clive Woodward. Retired 2005.

Now a Team GB ambassador and a newspaper columnist.

Josh Lewsey. Retired in 2011.

Now head of rugby at the Welsh Rugby Union.

Jason Robinson. Retired in 2007.

Now works on grassroots projects for the RFU.

Will Greenwood. Retired 2006.

Now TV presenter/pundit and a newspaper columnist.

Ben Cohen. Retired in 2011.

Launched a charity to help combat bullying in the UK.

Jonny Wilkinson. Retired in 2014.

Now kicking and skills coach at Toulon.

Matt Dawson. Retired 2006.

Now TV presenter and pundit for the BBC.

Trevor Woodman. Retired 2005.

Now scrum coach at Gloucester.

Steve Thompson. Retired 2011.

Now based in Dubai as ambassador for a Children’s charity.

Phil Vickery. Retired 2010.

Runs successful sportswear firm.

Martin Johnson. Retired 2005.

Now concentrating on media work and public speaking.

Ben Kay. Retired 2010.

Now works as a TV pundit.

Richard Hill. Retired 2008.

Now works in business development.

Neil Back. Retired in 2005.

Now works as a coach.

Lawrence Dallaglio. Retired 2008.

Fundraiser and helps young people find opportunities through sport

Dorian West. Retired 2003.

Forwards coach at Northampton Saints.

Jason Leonard. Retired 2004.

Now working in construction, and raises funds for disabled and disadvantaged children.

Martin Corry. Retired 2009.

Now works in sales.

Lewis Moody. Retired 2012.

Runs his own coaching company.

Kyran Bracken. Retired 2006.

Director of a construction company.

Mike Catt. Retired 2010.

Now England’s attack coach.

Iain Balshaw. Retired 2014.

Penultimate member of the World Cup-winning line-up to retire.

Article source: http://sportsbyte.sunderland.ac.uk/?p=41112

Tindall played at outside centre as England beat Australia to win the 2003 ...