Leicester and Worcester player Andy Goode forced to retire through injury

Andy Goode during his second stint at Leicester Tigers Credit: Stephen Pond/EMPICS Sport

Former Leicester Tigers and Worcester Warriors fly half Andy Goode has announced his retirement from professional rugby following two operaionts over the summer.

The Coventry-born former England international had joined London Irish from Wasps at the end of last season.

He began his professional rugby career with Leicester Tigers in 1998, going on to win multiple Heineken Cup and Premiership titles over the next four years.

After one year spent playing for London side Saracens, he returned to Leicester for a further five years in 2003.

Andy Good celebrates winning the Premiership with Leicester in 2007 Credit: Mike Egerton/EMPICS Sport

International honours beckoned in 2005 when he made his England debut as a substitute in the Six Nations. Over the next four years he appeared seventeen times for his country.

Goode in action for England in 2009 Credit: Neal Simpson/EMPICS Sport

Spells at clubs in France and South Africa followed, before he returned to the Midlands in 2010 to join Premiership side Worcester Warriors.

Goode in action for Worcester Warriors Credit: Joe Giddens/EMPICS Sport

Goode moved to the third Premiership club of his career in 2013 when he joined London Wasps. The side relocated to the Ricoh Arena in Coventry and dropped 'London' from the title the following year.

Andy Goode lines up for Wasps Credit: Joe Giddens/PA Archive/PA Images

He had signed for London Irish for the coming rugby season, with two operations scheduled over the summer.

But failing to recover adequately following surgery has finally forced Goode to call time on a remarkable rugby career.