Sale Sharks have announced the retirement of their former England scrum-half Joe Simpson, ending a 15-year career that saw him play for five Premiership Rugby clubs.
The news was announced this afternoon (Thursday 8 December) via a Tweet by the club.
𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗔 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗥 📚
After a glittering @PremRugby career representing five clubs for over 15 years, @JoeSimpson9 has decided the time is right to hang up his boots. 😢
Thanks for everything Joe! 🙏
Read more here 👇
— Sale Sharks 🦈 (@SaleSharksRugby) December 8, 2022
The player will retire at the end of 2022, with an impressive CV that includes Wasps, Gloucester, Saracens, Bath and Sale.
The 34-year-old also has a World Cup cap for England in 2011 and amassed just under 350 appearances in the Premiership since his debut for Wasps in 2008.
On his own personal Twitter account he said: “After 17 years of professional rugby, I have decided that now is the right time for me to retire from the sport I love. I will miss rugby enormously, but I am also hugely excited for my next chapter.”
He went on to thank his teammates and colleagues, saying: “Thank you to everyone that has been a part of my career. You all made it one hell of a ride.”
…To my teammates, I have made lifelong friends. With unbreakable bonds. I have been blessed to have played with some of the very best people around.”
Simpson’s full retirement reflection video can be found below:
Simpson signed his first senior contract at Wasps in the summer of 2009 and started the opening game of the following season against Harlequins.
“It was fantastic to join Wasps, we were the reigning English Champions and the European Champions the year before that. We were on a run of having won seven trophies in six years.” He said.
He moved to Gloucester in time for the 2019/20 season and stayed there until September of 2021 where he joined Saracens on a one-month loan deal, this being followed up by a three-month loan to Bath before finally joining Sale Sharks for the 2022/23 season.
“I have come in at a different stage of my career. It is a young team that is building and striving for success. But everyone has been so welcoming.”
Rounding up his thoughts on retirement, he said: “The thing I will miss most about rugby is the day-to-day, coming in sore and tired when it’s cold or raining.
“The boys get around each other and you get through it together. That team atmosphere and friendship is hard to replace, and I will sorely miss it. That gap will forever be a part of my life.”
Sale Sharks fan Otis Donelly and his son Matthew were lucky enough to meet the player earlier this season. Otis said: “It was a privilege to meet such a fantastic player.”
He came in and did a good job at Sale and was always kind and corteous.” Otis added.
On meeting the player, Otis said: “Matthew [Otis’s son] was always happy to see Joe and Joe always gave him plenty of time.”
He rounded off by wishing the Sharks star well in his retirement, saying: “Thanks for everything Joe and best of luck with your future.”
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