England's Shelley Rae, a former IRB Women's Personality of the Year award winner, has announced her retirement from international rugby.
Rae, widely recognised as one of the best kickers and fly-halves in world women's rugby, hangs up her international boots having won 44 caps and scored 258 points for her country. That tally would undoubtedly have been more had Rae not been forced into a number of absences through injury since she made her debut in 2000 against the USA.
Within a year of taking up the game in 1996, Rae was fast-tracked into an Emerging England tour of Holland. A year on, in 1997, she became a member of the senior squad where she developed into a key member of the side over the next decade.
Rae has been involved in some of England's best moments during her international career and appeared in two Rugby World Cup Finals - in 2002 and 2006. In both of those finals England came off second best to the New Zealand Black Ferns; however, Rae was part of the touring England side that defeated their greatest rivals on their home soil in North Harbour in 2001.
That victory over the Black Ferns remains one of England's greatest in recent years. The visitors claimed a real scalp in their 22-17 shock win and Rae scored her first try for England. Rae has also been part of a hugely successful English team in Europe - during her tenure England won both Women's Six Nations grand slams and European Championships.
Earlier this year she appeared for England A in games against the USA and the Nomads and in 2006 she captained the A side having returned to the international fold after a year out with a knee injury.
As well as being an outstanding defender and excellent controller of the game from her crucial berth at fly-half, Rae's impeccable kicking regularly earned her favourable comparisons with England's Jonny Wilkinson with both players making a major contribution to England rugby wearing the number 10 jersey in recent years. Rae kicked 74 conversions, 33 penalties and 1 drop goal for England showing an ability that is well respected by both her peers and coaches.
England Head Coach Gary Street said, 'Shelley was one of the finest kickers in world rugby and she has certainly had a distinguished career. She has also been a great example to our new backs coming through the ranks.'
Rae continues to play club rugby with London Wasps.