
Mike Brown announces retirement and calls for unity in rugby leadership
The 39-year-old, who made 72 appearances for England from 2007 to 2018, is to hang up his boots upon completion of the Tigers' Gallagher Premiership title pursuit next month.
He will do so having made 280 league appearances, the fourth highest in the competition's history, and having played in over 530 games in total during a 20-year professional career.
Brown, nicknamed 'Mr Angry' because of his combative style and willingness to speak his mind, wants the sport's authorities to safeguard its future by being 'unselfish'.
🗞️
Mike Brown will retire at the end of the 24/25 season, bringing down the curtain on an incredible, 20-year career at the top of the game.
See what he has to say about the decision 👉 https://t.co/JVcc2nz2ww pic.twitter.com/QDtUcQd2eD
— Leicester Tigers (@LeicesterTigers) May 20, 2025
'Club owners, league executives, national and international governing body senior leadership – my hope is that you come together, think beyond the short term and make the bold, unselfish decisions needed to allow rugby to thrive once again,' the full-back said.
'We have a responsibility to protect and grow this incredible game so future generations can experience everything it has to offer – just as I have.'
Brown's demand to do what is best for the game also extends beyond its administrators.
'Media figures, pundits, former players, commentators – I urge you to continue helping shift the negative narrative around rugby,' he continued in an open letter published on Leicester's website.
A true legend of the league says farewell 🤝
Mike Brown will hang up his boots at the end of this season 🥺 #GallagherPrem pic.twitter.com/qI95bhzv81
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) May 20, 2025
'Let's talk more about the brilliant action, the big hits, the electric tries, the unbelievable skill, the fierce rivalries and the amazing characters who make our game special.
'Rugby is full of passion, drama, and world-class athletes giving their all. By celebrating what makes our sport great, we can inspire the next generation, bring more fans through the gates, grow the game and remind everyone why we fell in love with it in the first place.'
Brown spent 16 years at Harlequins where he won the Premiership title twice, with Newcastle and Leicester his only other clubs. He joins fellow veterans Danny Care, Ben Youngs and Joe Marler in choosing to retire this season.
'After a great deal of reflection, the time feels right to step away from professional rugby and officially retire from the game that has shaped my life in so many ways,' he said.
'To the fans – your support and your energy has meant everything. Whether I was a player you liked or not, I hope you always saw the passion, commitment, and pride I felt in representing your club and our country. I never took that privilege for granted.
'Rugby has given me more than I could ever have imagined, but now it's time for a new chapter.
'I'm excited for what's ahead: continuing to work in high-performing environments, building great teams, pushing boundaries, and helping others grow.'

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North Wales Chronicle
2 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Ben Curry happy to throw himself into England duty after Sale disappointment
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South Wales Guardian
2 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Ben Curry happy to throw himself into England duty after Sale disappointment
The Sale captain linked up with Steve Borthwick's squad just three days after his club were denied a place in Saturday's Premiership final by an agonising 21-16 semi-final loss to Leicester. Flanker Curry is among the senior figures in a 37-man training camp, containing 16 uncapped players, ahead of upcoming Tests against Argentina and the United States. Head coach Borthwick is currently without players from Premiership finalists Bath and Leicester in addition to a host of star names, including Curry's twin brother Ben, who are involved in the Lions' summer tour of Australia. While in an ideal world he would have been in different surroundings this week, Curry is not contemplating what might have been. 'It's very easy to do the opposite of that,' he said. 'There's always something different to go after. Obviously you've got to address the emotional disappointment but, with professional sport, there's always something thrown at you next. 'Essentially, you can't rest, it's about just cracking on to the next thing. The challenge we've got this tour is properly exciting. 'I think it's a perfect position. Obviously very disappointed after that semi-final but the beauty of rugby is there is always something next and we're quite fortunate it's straight away. 'In five weeks I might address those emotions, but right now it's quite nice to just throw yourself into something different.' Curry impressed during a Guinness Six Nations campaign which brought four wins from five for England and a second-placed finish behind champions France. Yet the 26-year-old was subsequently left out of the Lions squad revealed by head coach Andy Farrell in May. 'I haven't had anything, so for me, I just want to play for England,' said Curry when asked if he retained hope of a late Lions call-up. Training squad announcement 📋 Steve Borthwick has named a 36-player squad for a four-day training camp ahead of the upcoming match between an England XV and a France XV at @allianz_stad on Saturday 21 June.@O2 | #WearTheRose — England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) June 10, 2025 'I've literally had nothing, so I wouldn't have a clue.' England front-row pair Jamie George and Asher Opoku-Fordjour were this week added to Farrell's group as injury cover, with Ireland prop Finlay Bealham taking the place of stricken Scotland tighthead Zander Fagerson. Speaking of the opportunity for 20-year-old Sale team-mate Opoku-Fordjour, Curry said: 'He's still very young. He's got so much potential to grow. 'For him to be around the best players in the world, I think could do wonders for him. 'His ceiling is so high, it's unbelievable. Even to have a sniff of that, he's going to come back and he's just going to go from strength to strength. I've got full confidence in that.' Meanwhile, Henry Arundell has been drafted straight back into the England setup after finishing his spell with Racing 92. The former London Irish wing, who has agreed a return to the Premiership with Bath for next season, was unavailable for international selection during his time in France. Arundell scored a try on his Test debut against Australia in 2022 and registered five scores during England's pool-stage victory over Chile at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Asked for his initial impressions of the 22-year-old, Curry said: 'Very quick. He's unbelievable, isn't he? We're definitely blessed to have him back.'

Leader Live
3 hours ago
- Leader Live
Ben Curry happy to throw himself into England duty after Sale disappointment
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