Former England international Dylan Hartley has announced his retirement from rugby with immediate effect due to injury.
The 33-year-old Northampton Saints legend has been out of injury for most of 2019 with a knee injury and has now decided it is time to call quits on a glittering career.
Having made 251 appearances for the Saints, including captaining the side for eight of his 15 seasons with the club, and making 97 caps for England, captaining them on 30 occasions, Hartley is grateful for all the rugby he has played.
“I am extremely proud of my journey, both with Saints and representing England, but now is the right time to hang up my playing boots. The last few months have been difficult for me both mentally and physically as I have come to terms with the fact that I am no longer able to compete, but I have to thank all the staff at Saints who have all invested so much time in helping me with my rehabilitation, in particular S&C coach Eamonn Hyland,” he said.
He went on to admit that he never thought that he would have been handed the opportunities he has been given and was full of praise for his club.
“I have loved my journey in rugby. I came to England as a teenager hoping to get a few games of rugby and to see the world. I could have never predicted that one day I would play 14 years for such a special club and go on to represent and captain England. Northampton Saints has been more than just a club to me. It has been a place that has provided me with direction, purpose, a sense of family, home and belonging; and ultimately a community that I was so proud to represent every time I got a chance to play for Northampton,” he added.
He finished by confessing he didn’t have the perfect professional career but he loved it either way and thanked his nearest and dearest for their support throughout.
“My career wasn’t perfect, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I’m privileged to have experienced some amazing highs while there have also been some personal lows, all of which are powerful experiences that will stay with me forever. The final chapter of my career was supposed to go a different way, but that is the nature of professional sport. I would not have been able to achieve what I have without the support of my wife Jo, my family, my friends and my teammates. To them all, I am incredibly grateful for their love and unwavering support,” he concluded.
Hartley has won the Premiership title during his time with the Saints, as well as two European Challenge Cups and an Anglo-Welsh Cup, as well as reaching Heineken Cup final.
The injury he sustained meant that he was unavailable for selection for Eddie Jones’ Rugby World Cup squad, but even though he hasn’t played for his country recently Jones took time to acknowledge his former captain.
“Dylan has had a significant international career playing for his country having played 97 Tests, and was a tough, enduring character for us. He was a foundation captain and we owe him a lot for his contribution to the making of this team. We will be forever indebted to him for his dedication and commitment to the team and his love of English rugby,” he said.
As well as his domestic triumphs he has Six Nations titles to his name for his country, and had an 85% winning percentage as captain. He divided opinion amongst fans throughout his career, but it is certain that he will be missed within the rugby family.
