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James Horwill announces retirement from rugby

Former Wallabies and Queensland Reds captain James Horwill has announced his retirement after playing professional rugby for more than a decade.

Horwill, who made his debut in 2006 for the Reds before captaining the side to the 2011 Super Rugby championship, will finish his career at the end of the 2018-19 Premiership Rugby season, where he plays for Harlequins.

"I have given this great game everything I have, and I feel I can no longer give what is needed to play at this elite level," Horwill said in announcing his retirement.

"I've had the privilege and honour to not only play, but captain my state, country and club on a number of occasions over my 14-year career.

"Winning the Super Rugby title at the Queensland Reds and being asked to captain my country are just some of the moments I will look back and cherish for a lifetime."

The 33-year-old made his Wallabies debut in 2007 and was named captain of the national side four years later prior to the 2011 Rugby World Cup, where the Wallabies finished third.

Horwill missed out on selection for the 2015 Rugby World Cup before making the move to Harlequins.

He earned the last of his 62 caps for Australia in 2016 against England after returning to the side under the Giteau Law.