Red Roses legend Danielle Waterman has announced her retirement from rugby after a career which saw her reach the summit of the women’s game for club and country.
The 35-year-old full-back had already called time on her international career in 2018, having won 82 caps and scored 47 tries for England over a 15-year spell.
But one of the signature figures of the boom years of the women’s game has now played her last club game for Wasps, deciding to hang her boots up for good.
Sharing a photo of herself playing rugby when she was younger on Twitter, she said: “I think this little girl would struggle to believe the journey she was about to start.
“But it’s now time to start the next chapter #retired. To everyone who I have shared this hectic journey with and met along the way, thank you for all the love, support and memories.”
Waterman enjoyed an illustrious career with the Red Roses after making her international debut as an 18-year-old against Ireland in 2003, England’s youngest ever player at the time.
She was part of seven successful Women’s Six Nations campaigns before calling it a day in 2018, with her most recent contribution coming in the 2017 Grand Slam triumph.
Her last appearance for England came against Ireland in March on the final day of the 2018 Women’s Six Nations, marking the occasion by scoring a try in the 33-11 victory.
Waterman also played in four World Cups, scoring in the 2014 final as England beat Canada to lift the trophy in Paris, and represented Great Britain sevens at the Rio 2016 Olympics.
Having continued to play for Wasps since her international retirement, Waterman has now decided to bring an end to her professional playing career to focus on other ventures.
An ambassador for HSBC, Guinness and Gallagher, she already has her own podcast and has featured as a pundit on broadcasts for ITV, BBC and Channel 4.
She is now working towards her Level 4 coaching certificate – but whatever the future holds for Waterman, her name will forever be etched in women’s rugby history.
