England and Leicester Tigers icon Ben Youngs has officially announced that he will retire from professional rugby at the conclusion of the current season.

Youngs, the most-capped player in England men’s rugby history, represented his country on 127 occasions between 2010 and 2023. His illustrious international career included playing in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final, where England were defeated by South Africa, and participating in the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia in 2013, featuring in two Test matches.

The veteran scrum-half will also bring an end to his playing days as a one-club man, having made his senior debut for Leicester Tigers in a friendly against Argentina back in February 2007. He went on to become the club’s youngest-ever league player when, aged 17 years and 231 days, he appeared from the bench in a match against Bristol just months later.

Now 35, Youngs has enjoyed a decorated domestic career, securing five Premiership Rugby titles with Leicester in 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013 and 2022. Over the years, he has amassed 332 appearances for the East Midlands side. The Independent understands that the experienced No.9 had received offers to extend his career in France, but has instead chosen to retire at the season’s end.

Off the field, Youngs co-hosts the popular podcast For The Love Of Rugby alongside long-time Leicester and England team-mate Dan Cole, who is the second most-capped England men’s player of all time. Youngs had teased the prospect of a significant announcement on the show, sparking speculation that he might be poised to step into the head coach role at Leicester, with Michael Cheika expected to depart this summer.

However, in a heartfelt message to Tigers supporters shared on social media, Youngs confirmed the real news.

“The time has come to give you some news,” he began. “I’m not going to be head coach next year — that’s not the announcement. However, I will be finishing at the end of this season.

“It has been amazing. I thank you all. There will be plenty of time to say goodbye and express my gratitude, but there’s still a lot of work to be done. Given the speculation, I wanted you to be the first to know that this will be my final season.

“Thank you all, and what an exciting couple of months we have ahead. I know you’ll be there in your thousands, supporting us as we push for a top-four finish.”

Leicester are on course to give their long-serving star a fitting farewell, currently sitting second in the Gallagher Premiership table with just four rounds of the regular season remaining. The Tigers are two points clear of fifth-placed Saracens as the race for the three remaining play-off places intensifies, with Bath having already established a commanding lead at the summit.

Youngs called time on his international career following the 2023 Rugby World Cup — his fourth appearance on rugby’s grandest stage — and now prepares for his final run of matches at club level, hoping to conclude his career in fitting style.

Reflecting on his decision, Youngs admitted:

“It’s a bittersweet feeling, really. Of course, I’m saddened at the thought of it all coming to an end, but I’m genuinely excited about the remainder of the season and what this group can still achieve.

“That’s the strange part — I’m using the ‘r’ word [retirement], but it isn’t over yet. There’s still plenty of rugby left to play this season, and that’s where my focus lies. I’m not done, so let’s not write the obituary just yet.

“I’ve spent two decades of my life here at this club, and I’ve been fortunate enough to be part of some incredible moments, to enjoy success and to create memories that will last a lifetime.

“This club — the green, red and white — has been all I’ve ever known and all I’ve ever wanted to know. The idea of playing against Leicester was never an option for me, so to finish my career as a one-club player will stand as one of my proudest achievements.

“The time will come to thank all those who have helped me along the way, but that moment is still ahead. For now, my focus is on closing this chapter with more success. I’m not done just yet.”