England prop Cole to retire at end of Premiership season

Only Cole's long-term Leicester team-mate Ben Youngs, with 127, has won more than his 118 caps for England, having made his debut against Wales in the 2010 Six Nations.

Cole, who scored four tries for his country, went three years without an international appearance following the 2019 World Cup before earning a recall from Steve Borthwick.

Cole played at his fourth World Cup in 2023, then the 38-year-old represented England for the final time last Autumn.

On Tuesday, Cole said Youngs' own retirement had influenced his decision to hang up his boots and allow a new generation of players a chance to star for Leicester.

"I believe, with Ben Youngs, Julian Montoya and others that are in and around my age ending their time at the club at the end of the season, it's time for the club to kick-on and the right time for me to go," he told Leicester's website.

"As you get older, physically it's definitely harder to carry on and, looking around the changing room, I am 10 years older than most of the guys in there with me, and that's challenging as well.

DRC in numbers. pic.twitter.com/uKwu16pxm3

— Leicester Tigers (@LeicesterTigers) May 27, 2025

"Overall, I have loved my career but haven't loved every minute, which has allowed me to appreciate the good times even more."