Leicester lock Louis Deacon retires
Tuesday 17 February 2015 11:11, UK
England second row forward Louis Deacon has decided to retire from professional rugby.
The Leicester lock won 29 international caps after making his debut against Samoa in 2005 and was part of Martin Johnson's 2011 World Cup squad in New Zealand.
Deacon made 274 appearances for Tigers as part of a squad that won six Premiership titles and were twice crowned European champions.
Injury has prevented Deacon from featuring for Leicester this season and the 34-year-old has spent time coaching Spain ahead of the European Rugby Championships.
"I have said many times that all I ever wanted to do was play one game for the Leicester Tigers," Deacon said on the club’s official website.
"So to have the opportunity to do that more than 270 times, in massive games all over Europe and alongside so many great players, has been a huge honour."
Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill was full of praise for Deacon’s contribution to his local club over the years.
Cockerill said: "Deacs is the epitome of the Leicester lad who came through at his hometown club to play at the very highest level of the game.
"He has been a central part of what makes this club tick for a long time."
