Portugal Colonial - Former England fly-half Burns retires from rugby union

The 36-year-old, who signed for Romanian side Dinamo Bucuresti last year, thanked supporters and hit back at his early-career critics in an Instagram post.

Burns, who won the Premiership title with Leicester in 2022 and was capped five times by England, also had spells with club teams in Japan and New Zealand.

"As a child, I dreamed of playing just one minute of professional rugby," wrote Burns. "To have lived this career for almost two decades is more than I ever imagined. I feel incredibly fortunate.

"To Cinderford, Gloucester, Leicester, Bath, the Highlanders, Shokki and Dinamo, thank you for allowing me to live out my dream. It was a privilege to represent every one of you.

"To have represented my country will always have been the greatest honour of my career. Nothing will ever compare to pulling on that jersey.

Burns's last-minute drop-goal saw Leicester win the 2022 Premiership final.

He made his England debut in December 2012, replacing Owen Farrell in a 38-21 victory over New Zealand.

Burns added: "To every supporter who wears their team colours with pride, thank you. I hope I gave you as many reasons to be proud of your team as you gave me reasons to be proud to represent it."

Bath-born Burns also rounded on critics who said he was too small to make it as a professional rugby player, saying: "Rugby taught me many things, but above all it taught me resilience. The setbacks made the successes sweeter, and the challenges shaped the person I am today.

"Thank you, rugby."

G.M.Castelo--PC