England women World Cup winner Danielle Waterman announces retirement

She will continue to play for Wasps

Danielle Waterman has played 82 times for England (Getty)

Danielle Waterman, one of England’s greatest female rugby players, has announced her international retirement with immediate effect.

The full-back played 82 times for the Red Roses, scoring 47 tries and playing in four World Cups, including as part of England’s triumphant 2014 World Cup squad. She lost only one Six Nations game in her entire career, against France in March of this year.

A natural counter-attacker with remarkably quick feet, Waterman - known as ‘Nolli’ - became her country’s youngest representative when she made her international debut as a replacement scrum-half in 2003 at just 18 years old. Blessed with pace and possessing an eye for the try line, Waterman also made appearances for the national sevens team, most notably at the 2016 Olympics in Rio De Janeiro. She will continue to play club rugby for Wasps in the Tyrells Premier 15s.

“What I would say about Nolli is she is the ultimate England player,” England Women head coach Simon Middleton said of Waterman’s retirement. “When you put an England shirt on you’ve got to play with everything you’ve got. She’s incredibly skilful, incredibly athletic but more than anything she’s probably the bravest player I’ve ever seen on a rugby field.

Danielle Waterman scored 47 tries for her country (Getty)

“Some of the tackles she’s made and some of the tries she’s scored will live forever in my memory as a coach. It’s been a pleasure working with her. She’s been an absolute inspiration to coach and she’s an inspiration for anybody that’s watched her play. She’s what an England player should be.”

Waterman’s father Jim appeared over 400 times for Bath and both her parents were influential in her rise to international stardom. She first joined the England academy aged just 15 after flourishing at Palmerston North Girls’ High School on a family sojourn to New Zealand.

On her retirement Waterman remarked: “It has been an incredible journey and a true honour to be a Red Rose for the past 15 years. It's been a huge privilege to have not only played alongside and against some of the best players in the world, but to have been part of the huge development and progression of women's international rugby.

“I have made lifelong friends through playing for my country and the time spent with my teams mates through the highs and the lows are the moments I will miss the most.”

The 33-year old departs the international scene as one of three shortlisted for the O2 England Women’s Player of the Year Award for the 2017-18 season, along with Katy Daley-McLean and Tamara Taylor.