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Drew Mitchell, Australia’s record try-scorer in Rugby World Cups, has announced he is to retire at the end of the season.
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Mitchell, 33, has spent the last four years playing his club rugby for Toulon, winning two European Champions Cups and the 2013-14 Top 14 title during his time in France.
A veteran of 71 caps for the Wallabies, his international career initially looked to be over when he moved overseas after starring for Queensland Reds, Western Force and Waratahs in Super Rugby.
However, a change in eligibility rules led to Mitchell earning an Australia recall and he went on to play at his third World Cup in 2015 as Michael Cheika’s men reached the final, becoming his country’s leading try-scorer in the competition in the process.
Only South Africa’s Bryan Habana and the late, great Jonah Lomu of New Zealand have surpassed his tally of 14 RWC tries.
Mitchell confirmed his impending retirement via Twitter on Monday, having been hampered by injury trouble throughout the current campaign.
A post from his official account read: “So it’s my turn to call time on my rugby career! I’ve been very lucky to have had the experiences I’ve had in our great game. Thank you.”
So it’s my turn to call time on my rugby career!
I’ve been very lucky to have had the experiences I’ve had in our great game.Thank you
ADVERTISEMENT— Drew Mitchell (@drew_mitchell) April 17, 2017
Matt Giteau, a team-mate of Mitchell for Australia and Toulon, responded with a tweet that read: “Nooooooo!! Been a real privilege babe. Very sad day though.”
Mitchell swiftly replied: “The privilege has been all mine babe!! Now get back on the field before the end of the season so we can have 1 last run around together!!”
A replacement appearance against South Africa in September represented a last Wallabies outing for Mitchell, who scored 34 international tries.
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