England World Cup winner Mike Tindall has announced his decision to retire from professional rugby.

The 35-year-old outside centre was not offered a new player-coach role at Gloucester after his previous terms expired at the end of last season.

After earning 75 caps for England and helping the team to World Cup glory in 2003, Tindall has opted to step away from playing and embark on a career in the media.

"I could play two more years if I really wanted to but club rugby is a very special thing for me, it's what I love about the game," the Gloucester Citizen quotes Tindall as saying. "International rugby and the Lions are great but club rugby is your bread and butter and dictates where you go in your life.

"You have to buy into that. I always wanted to be a one-club man but that didn't happen. But I was very lucky to be at two great clubs in Gloucester and Bath.

"Obviously Gloucester is closer to my heart because of the way it finished and I was here for a year longer, and I want to thank them both for all they have done for me."

Tindall spent eight years playing for Bath and nine with Gloucester.