England
World Cup-winner Iain Balshaw forced to retire
ESPN Staff
July 11, 2014
Iain Balshaw celebrates England's World Cup victory, Australia v England, World Cup final, Sydney, November 22, 2003
Iain Balshaw celebrates England's World Cup victory in 2003 © Getty Images
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Former England fullback Iain Balshaw has announced his retirement after failing to overcome a serious knee injury.

Balshaw, 35, who won the last of his 35 England caps in 2008, said: "After 16 months of unsuccessful knee rehab it is finally time to call it a day on my rugby career."

His retirement means that only Mike Tindall of the 2003 World Cup-winning squad remains playing, although he was released by Gloucester at the end of the season and may well have turned out for the last time as he is without a club. Balshaw appeared in the final as a substitute.

He played for Bath, Leeds, Gloucester and Biarritz Olympique and won three caps on the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia in 2001.

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