Charlie Sharples, a Gloucester winger, has resigned from rugby union immediately. This marks the end of a 15-year-long career.
Sharples, 32, was 14 when he joined the Cherry and Whites’ Academy. He made his debut with the team in 2007. Sharples went on to make 275 appearances for them.
Due to injury, he was unable to play in most of the season. His final game will be in the European Champions Cup in March 2021.
He had originally planned to retire at this point, but a shoulder injury prevented him from doing so.
“I wanted to be as injury-free as possible and to just enjoy being on pitch. I knew it was ending at the end of the season. I was ready to finish in the July. Sharples explained that she had already thought of doing it.
“I dislocated my shoulder and was told that surgery was necessary. This would keep me out of work for the majority of the season.
He said, “It was quite difficult and it put me in a bit of spin because I felt like rugby had been taken from me because at that time I wasn’t ready for the finish. I wanted to finish by July.”
“My body has been very unkind to me over the past couple of years, and I had to listen and believe it was the right moment.”
Sharples was captained four times by England between 2011-2012 and scored two tries against Fiji in the autumn internationals of 2011.
He scored 91 tries for Gloucester and 455 points. He was also part of the team that won both the Anglo-Welsh Cup trophy in 2011 and 2015, the Challenge Cup trophy.
“I’m not going be a stranger. Sharples stated that this is my home, and that I will always support the club. He also said that he wants to continue being involved in other capacities.