England’s Vickii Cornborough Announces International Retirement and Braves the Shave to Support Sister

England’s Vickii Cornborough, a stalwart of the Red Roses with 75 caps to her name, has announced her retirement from international rugby at the age of 34. The Harlequins prop, who has reached two World Cup finals and won four consecutive Six Nations titles with England, cited the challenges of balancing motherhood with the demands of high-performance sport as the primary reason for her decision.

Cornborough, who made her England debut in 2015, has been on maternity leave from the national team following the birth of her twin daughters. Despite feeling physically strong, she admitted that the mental toll of sleep deprivation and the rigors of professional rugby were taking a toll on her well-being. “Living off a couple of hours of sleep a night is not conducive to a high-performance pressure environment,” she told BBC Sport.

The announcement comes as England prepares to host the Women’s World Cup in 2025, a tournament that Cornborough will now have to watch from the sidelines. However, she expressed relief at finally being able to make the decision to retire on her own terms, thanks in part to her successful “dual career” in the technology industry.

In addition to her rugby career, Cornborough has also shown her support for her sister Sam, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023. In a show of solidarity, Cornborough shaved her head to raise funds for cancer charities, demonstrating her commitment to both her family and her community.

As one chapter closes for Vickii Cornborough on the rugby field, another one opens as she embarks on the next phase of her life with her family and her career. Her contributions to the sport and her resilience in the face of adversity will be remembered by fans and teammates alike.