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On Tuesday, Danny Care announced that he would be retiring from professional rugby at the end of the season.
On Tuesday, Danny Care announced that he would be retiring from professional rugby at the end of the season.
In an illustrious career he won a Guinness Men’s Six Nations Grand Slam and 101 caps with England, played (so far) 394 times and won two Premiership titles with Harlequins.
The 38-year-old’s is aiming to be fit in time for Quins match against Exeter Chiefs this Sunday, where he can say farewell to The Stoop.
"Hopefully, if I can get my knee right, this will be my last ever game of rugby this weekend," Care told BBC 5 Live Sport.
"It is sad, but it is the right time for me and the club to do something else and for other lads to get the opportunity to wear the shirt and live the dream.
"My body is old and it's sore, I still feel I can do it, but it gets a lot harder every day."
All Things Rugby looks back on the four stages of Care’s career.
The Young Gun
Care came through the Leeds Tykes academy under future England coach Stuart Lancaster and made his professional debut with them in 2004.
While there he played alongside former New Zealand international Justin Marshall, and in 2006 he moved south to Harlequins where he played with England World Cup winner Andy Gomarsall.
With Gomarsall away at the 2007 World Cup Care enjoyed a run in the side, and in 2008 he made his test debut against New Zealand at Eden Park.
While he became established in the England set-up, there were infamous moments, notably his yellow card against Ireland in Dublin that sent coach Martin Johnston into a furious rage.
Premiership Winner
By the 2011 World Cup Care was first-choice England scrumhalf, but after helping Quins to the European Challenge Cup, he had his first major setback when a toe injury ended his World Cup dreams.
While recuperating, Ben Youngs grabbed his chance and the number nine shirt. Care would play understudy to Youngs for most of their time with England, but they pushed each other to earn over a century of caps.
Back at Harlequins, Care was a vital cog when they won their first Premiership of the professional era with a 30-23 win over Youngs’ Leicester Tigers.
Led by Conor O’Shea, they were captained by fellow academy graduate Chris Robshaw, and featuring Mike Brown, Nick Easter, Nick Evans, Ugo Monye, Joe Marler, Jordan Turner-Hall, and George Robson.
Care was in the England squad for the 2015 World Cup in England, but behind Youngs and Richard Wigglesworth.
Defeat to Wales and Australia meant that England became the first host nation to miss out on the knockout rounds, and Care made one appearance, in the dead rubber versus Uruguay.
Wrapping Up The Grand Slam
A year on, Australian Eddie Jones had replaced Lancaster, and while Youngs was still his number one, Care was a key part of the team.
Less than a year after their ignominious exit from their World Cup, England won their second Six Nations Grand Slam.
They wrapped it up with a 31-21 victory over France in Paris. Care started, and scored a memorable opening try to set up the win.
England retained the title without a Slam in 2017, but after a lacklustre display against Japan in 2018, Care was among a group of players who were dropped by Jones and left in the international wilderness.
Comeback Kid
Back at The Stoop, Care was still loved and in 2021 he was at the heart of a Harlequins who won their second Premiership title.
It was far from expected after Director of Rugby Paul Gustard left the club a few months earlier, with Billy Millard, Adam Jones, Jerry Flannery, and Evans left to share the coaching duties.
It made no difference. Inspired by Marcus Smith, Quins played some breathtaking rugby. None more so than when 28-0 behind to Bristol Bears in the semifinal.
A stirring comeback forced extra-time, and Joe Marchant’s second try wrapped up a 40-38 victory that became known as ‘The Miracle Of Bristanbul.”
The final against defending champions Exeter Chiefs was equally thrilling. With 14 minutes to go, Exter led 31-26 but another comeback sealed a 40-38 triumph.
Care’s form caught Jones’ eye and after a clear the air coffee, the Australian brought him in from the cold for the 2022 Australia tour.
By the 2023 World Cup, Jones was gone, replaced by Steve Borthwick who made Alex Mitchel his first-choice nine.
Care made his first World Cup start against Chile and was Mitchell’s understudy. Fittingly though, Youngs started the bronze medal match with Care replacing him in the second half.
He joined Youngs in the Centurion club against Ireland in the 2024 Six Nations, and ran out for the 101st and final time, versus France a week later.
One thing is certain while Care won’t be on the pitch anymore, we won’t see the end of him. He is an thoughtful and entertaining regular on various podcasts and television shows.
His career wasn’t always smooth, but it has certainly been a memorable one.
“It’s been a really tough decision, but I think it’s the right time for me, and it's the right time for the Club,” Care wrote in an open letter to Harlequins fans.
“I've been so lucky to wear this shirt and play on this pitch for 19 years, and now it's someone else's turn to live the dream.
“Whether we’re winning or we're down by 25 with five minutes to go. You guys still cheer for us and bring us through. From me, and my family, I just want to say thank you very much. It's been a whirlwind, but it's been incredible.”