- The celebrated international star has been forced to retire due to difficult injuries
- Repetitive physical problems have hampered the star over the past two years
- England head coach Steve Borthwick congratulated the winger on his retirement
Anthony Watson revealed on Friday the brutal cost of injury left him unable to sit down after he confirmed his medically-enforced retirement from rugby.
Watson’s impressive stint with England and the British & Irish Lions has seen him suffer with numerous ‘horrendous’ fitness problems in the past two years.
They included a back issue which first arose in January of 2024 and calf and Achilles woes. Although Watson did recover from the back problem to play for Leicester this season, it was one which ultimately led to doctors to recommend to the 30-year-old he must call time on his career.
‘The (back) injury happened in January 2024,’ Watson said.
‘It needed surgery and it basically just carried on getting flare ups and wasn’t healing the way we wanted it to. It felt alright until maybe midweek of a game with Sale.
‘Then it started to take a real deep dive to the point where I couldn’t sit down. From that point onwards, it wasn’t looking too rosy.
Anthony Watson has announced his retirement from rugby on medical grounds after an impressive career with England and the British & Irish Lions
The 30-year-old has unfortunately struggled with injuries across the past two years
The flying wing, who started his career with London Irish, won 56 caps for his country and won three Six Nations titles
‘As I walked off against Sale, I knew there was a chance it might have been the last one. I was in so much pain. I’d taken a lot of painkillers just to get to that point.
‘I was rooming with Handre Polland the night before and I woke up at 4am because I was in so much pain. I had to take more pain killers to go back to sleep and then didn’t want to let the team down to be honest. I played the day after, albeit barely played.
‘I had no influence on the game. After that it was straight back to the surgeon to see what he suggested. He tried another injection. I hate to think how many I’ve had. That wasn’t as successful as we wanted. He said: “I don’t think this is safe anymore for you to carry on playing.” It was taken out of my hands and I’m quite grateful it was done that way.’
Flying wing Watson started his club career with London Irish before moving to Bath and then Leicester. He scored 23 tries in 56 appearances for England, winning three Six Nations titles. He toured twice with the Lions in 2017 and 2021 and played at two World Cups in 2015 and 2019. Watson’s time in the game has been cruelly cut short.
‘My overarching feeling is of pride,’ he said. ‘I’m proud and blessed 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 proud more than anyone.
‘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.
Watson made 122 appearances for Bath before ultimately deciding to leave the club in 2022
Watson’s remarkable pace and eye for the try line saw him quickly become an international regular with England and the Lions
England coach Steve Borthwick heaped praise on Watson after his retirement was confirmed
‘I can say I’ve done all those things.’
England coach Steve Borthwick said: ‘Anthony is to be congratulated on a fantastically successful career. I was fortunate to have coached Anthony both at Leicester and England.
‘He is a humble, hard-working professional man who is universally liked and admired in the game. Anthony not only brought his incredible talent to the England shirt every time he played, but he was also a player who was immensely proud to represent his country.
‘We all wish him the best in the next chapter and thank him for everything he did for the England team.’
