England striker Vickii Cornborough has announced her retirement from international rugby, saying she is “not ready” to balance motherhood and playing for her country.
Combrough made 75 appearances for the Red Roses and reached two World Cup finals, but her lasting legacy will be her pioneering work in shaping the RFU’s maternity policy as vice-president of the Rugby Players’ Association (RPA).
The 34-year-old has been on maternity leave with England after giving birth to twins last summer.
“I’m probably the strongest I’ve ever been, but I’m just not there yet mentally because having twins is really hard,” Combler told BBC Sport. She added, “Just sleeping every night A few hours in a stressful environment that is not conducive to high performance.
“Leaving the Red Rose and announcing my retirement is the right thing for me.”
She said: “I am proud to have made 75 caps for my country, won the Six Nations and played in two Rugby World Cups. It was a dream. I gave everything for the Red Rose jersey and became the best that I could be player of.
“Becoming a mother is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. It is also an extremely difficult and demanding job. I will always be grateful for the support England and Harlequins have given me over the past year. Very much It’s great that we have made such positive progress and are now able to talk about and support women in rugby having children.
“I look forward to seeing the next wave of red roses arrive, and I am committed to doing everything I can to help young players develop off the field. In the meantime, I will support from afar!”
After representing England at under-19 and under-20 level, Combrough made his senior debut against Wales in 2015, becoming the 198th player to feature for the Red Roses.
Newsletter Promotion Post
She went on to be part of a Six Nations winning side that included five Grand Slams and was named Man of the Match in both Red Rose matches at Twickenham. In total she won 63 games for England and scored four times.
Rose Red Rose forwards coach Louis Deacon paid tribute to Combler, saying: “Winning 75 caps for your country is an incredible achievement.
“Vickii has been a cornerstone of the Red Rose scrum for the past decade. There was a time when her name was the first one you saw on the team sheet, such was her consistency, professionalism and quality.”
