Johnson announces retirement

England's World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson will bring his playing career to a close at the end of the season.

Johnson won 84 England caps and quit Test rugby at the start of 2004, just two months after leading Sir Clive Woodward's team to World Cup glory Down Under.

The 34-year-old Leicester lock's final match will be his testimonial at Twickenham on June 4.

Woodward, now in charge of the British and Irish Lions, had hoped that Johnson would end his international exile by agreeing to tour New Zealand this year.

But Johnson ruled out that prospect last week by selecting the opening day of that venture for his testimonial match. Several of his former England colleagues will be on Lions duty and hence unavailable.

Johnson was a colossus at the World Cup, where England defeated Australian 20-17 after extra-time in an unforgettable final.

Johnson made his England debut in 1993 and, as captain, steered England to the Grand Slam in the 2003 RBS 6 Nations Championship.

That was the 10th and final year in which he had played in the competition in its current guise or, prior to Italy's inclusion, the Five Nations.

He also played on three Lions tours, to New Zealand in 1993, South Africa in 1997 and Australia in 2001, as well as featuring in each of the past three World Cups.

He was awarded the CBE after England's World Cup triumph, having already held an MBE.