England captain Lewis Moody has decided to retire from international rugby following the team's disappointing 2011 Rugby World Cup campaign.
The combative former Leicester Tigers flanker won 71 caps for his country, scoring nine tries, and was a member of the Rugby World Cup-winning side in Australia in 2003.
Moody steps down after England's disappointing Rugby World Cup quarter-final exit at the hands of France, and voiced his belief that the team must start building for the future as soon as possible.
The 33-year-old said: "I realised I might be making this decision before the World Cup started. Even if they still wanted me to carry on, there's no way I'd last another four years.
"If England want to start planning for a successful World Cup in four years' time, then it is my belief that they should be appointing a new captain from February."
Now at Bath Rugby, Moody was an ever-present in England's World Cup campaigns in 2003 and in 2007, when they lost in the final against South Africa.
He added: "It's a big decision to make and I feel emotional about making it, but it's the right thing to do for me and for the England rugby squad.
"My time with England has been unbelievable, even if the last few weeks have not gone so well.
"It's only right for the team to move on. There will be changes, maybe in management and definitely in some of the matchday 22."
Follow ITV Rugby on Twitter
Sign up for our ITV Rugby email alerts
Like ITV Rugby on Facebook and play our Ultimate Fan game