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Gloucester winger James Simpson-Daniel announces retirement due to ankle injury

Published: 19:41 EDT, 2 September 2014 | Updated: 19:41 EDT, 2 September 2014

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Former England winger James Simpson-Daniel has announced his retirement because of an ankle injury, Gloucester Rugby confirmed on Tuesday.

The 32-year old winger has been sidelined since last November when he sustained the damage during an LV= Cup fixture against Newcastle Falcons at Kingsholm.

Simpson-Daniel, capped 10 times by England between 2002 and 2008 in an international career hampered by fitness problems, hopes to now be able to move his life in a new direction after making the most difficult of decisions based on expert medical advice.

Bowing out: James Simpson-Daniel has announced his retirement at the age of 32

'When I was given the diagnosis by the specialist, they were obviously the last words I wanted to hear, but I know that I have given it everything and I can't praise the Gloucester Rugby medical staff highly enough,' he said on www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk.

'I don't think it's really sunk in yet to be honest, but I have had a really good trot, I can't have any complaints. It would have been nice to have won more trophies with Gloucester, but I have got so many fantastic memories from my time in the game.

'I have loved every minute of my time with the club, played and worked with so many great people, made so many friends and, of course, played my home games at the best home ground in club rugby, Kingsholm.

Flying high: The former England winger picked up an ankle injury in November and hasn't recovered

Against the stars: Simpson-Daniel takes on Jonah Lomu in a match between England and the Barbarians

'That is what I will miss the most - that roar as you exit the tunnel and run on to the pitch. The Gloucester supporters have always been fantastic to me and I will always be grateful.

'But it is now time to start on a new chapter, I will take my time and consider my options, but, whatever I do, Gloucester Rugby will always be a huge part of my life.'

Simpson-Daniel joined Gloucester as a teenager straight from Sedbergh School, and went on to make some 250 starts across 14 seasons, scoring 118 tries.

Nicknamed 'Sinbad', Simpson-Daniel was popular among his peers.