Former England and British and Irish Lions lock Danny Grewcock is to retire from all rugby at the end of the season, his club Bath said on Wednesday.Grewcock, 38, was one of the toughest players of his generation. Aggressive and fearless, he played for England 69 times, although injury and suspension robbed him of sharing in some of his country's most glorious moments.
He played against Uruguay in the 2003 World Cup but got injured and missed out on the rest of the competition.
He also missed the 2007 World Cup due to a suspension and his 2005 Lions tour was curtailed due to a ban for biting in the first test against New Zealand.
However, some of Grewcock's greatest displays came for the Lions, particularly on the 2001 tour of Australia where he formed a formidable second-row partnership with Martin Johnson in all three tests.
He began his club career with Coventry before moving to Saracens and then, in 2001, Bath, for whom he has made 226 appearances.
Grewcock will stay with Bath working particularly with the club's younger players.
"I have been incredibly lucky to play for such a long time at such a great club," Grewcock said in a statement.
"I have enjoyed every minute of it, and have been very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to stay involved throughout. I'm really looking forward to working with the young players at the club, and helping them to progress with their careers."
Bath director of rugby and former Lions coach Ian McGeechan, said: "Danny is one of the most respected players in the game today, and will remain so even after his retirement.
"He has reached the highest level a player can and should be very proud of his lengthy career.
"His hard work, dedication, and commitment to the game, both on and off the field, serve as a great example to any young player and I look forward to working with him at Bath in his new capacity."
He played against Uruguay in the 2003 World Cup but got injured and missed out on the rest of the competition.
He also missed the 2007 World Cup due to a suspension and his 2005 Lions tour was curtailed due to a ban for biting in the first test against New Zealand.
However, some of Grewcock's greatest displays came for the Lions, particularly on the 2001 tour of Australia where he formed a formidable second-row partnership with Martin Johnson in all three tests.
He began his club career with Coventry before moving to Saracens and then, in 2001, Bath, for whom he has made 226 appearances.
Grewcock will stay with Bath working particularly with the club's younger players.
"I have been incredibly lucky to play for such a long time at such a great club," Grewcock said in a statement.
"I have enjoyed every minute of it, and have been very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to stay involved throughout. I'm really looking forward to working with the young players at the club, and helping them to progress with their careers."
Bath director of rugby and former Lions coach Ian McGeechan, said: "Danny is one of the most respected players in the game today, and will remain so even after his retirement.
"He has reached the highest level a player can and should be very proud of his lengthy career.
"His hard work, dedication, and commitment to the game, both on and off the field, serve as a great example to any young player and I look forward to working with him at Bath in his new capacity."
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