Former England number eight Nick Easter has announced his retirement from rugby.

The 37-year-old initially planned to combine a coaching role with playing for Harlequins during the 2016-17 campaign, but has now decided to give coaching his full focus.

Easter began his professional career at Orrell in 2001 but spent the vast majority of his playing days at Harlequins, making 281 appearances during his 12-year stay at the Twickenham Stoop.

"Having accepted the opportunity to become a coach-player by [director of rugby] John Kingston, I took some time to think about my career. I realised that whether I'm playing or coaching, there was no possible way that I would be able to give 100 per cent to both of my roles at the same time," Easter said in a statement.

"I thought, why not grab the opportunity of becoming a coach with both hands, give it my best shot and feel privileged to be in a position to go out on my own terms after 12 great years as a player for Harlequins?

"I'm a few weeks into my role now and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. Having had five weeks in the off-season to finalise it and four weeks now as a coach, I don't regret my decision. I can't wait for the new season to begin."

Kingston added: "Nick has been an unbelievable servant to the Harlequins team for over a decade. He has been at the very heartbeat of all the successes the side has achieved over this period. Nick has a fantastic rugby brain and it is for this reason I offered him the opportunity to join the new look coaching team at the club.

"Both Nick and I have agreed it is in the best interests of Quins that he focuses on his coaching exclusively from now. While a Quins team without him may seem strange at first, his influence on the group will, if anything, be even greater in his new role as first XV defence coach."

Easter also made 54 appearances for England during his career, including featuring at three World Cups.