Amber Reed: England and Bristol Bears centre retires

Bristol Bears centre Amber Reed, who was part of England’s World Cup-winning squad in 2014, has retired.

Reed, who could also play fly-half, won 67 caps for the Red Roses after making her international debut in 2012.

The 33-year-old also won Grand Slams, Six Nations titles and the WXV1 with England but was overlooked for this year’s Women’s Six Nations squad, having not featured since John Mitchell took charge of the side.

The Bristol-born centre has spent her entire senior career with her hometown club and her final game was Bears’ Premiership Women’s Rugby semi-final defeat by eventual champions Gloucester-Hartpury.

“After 16 seasons and nearly 200 appearances for club and country, it’s time for me to hang up my boots and bring an end to my playing career,” said Reed.

“From gracing the school sevens field, all the way to winning the World Cup and everything in between, it’s been one helluva ride!

“Through every success and failure I’ve encountered throughout my career, I can say that I’ve always given 100% for myself, my team and the supporters. As my younger self looking into the future, it fills me with immense happiness that I can step away from the field knowing that I gave it my all every time and I have no regrets.

“To the fans: Thank you for being incredible. I will always remember the feeling of that pitch side roar playing in front of so many of you; the stuff dreams are made of.

“None of it would have been possible without you – please keep showing up and together we can make amazing things happen, especially with England 2025 on the horizon.”