LONDON (AP) — Scrumhalf Danny Care retired from international rugby on Monday after 101 caps in a 15-year England career.

Care played in all five of England’s matches in the Six Nations, and came off the bench against Ireland this month to earn his 100th cap. He passed to Marcus Smith, who kicked the winning drop goal.

“The time feels right for myself and the team, to retire from international rugby,” the 37-year-old Care told englandrugby.com. “The past 12 months in this England team have been arguably my favourite, making memories that my family and I will cherish and remember forever.”

He started with England Sevens in 2006 and that year helped them win a Commonwealth Games silver medal.

He made his test debut in June 2008 off the bench against New Zealand in Auckland. He started the second test the following weekend in Christchurch and scored his maiden test try.

More than half of his 101 caps were as a replacement. Eddie Jones didn’t play Care in 2019, 2020 and 2021 but the scrumhalf never gave up on reaching 100 caps. He was recalled for the victorious tour of Australia in mid-2022 and stayed on under Jones’ successor Steve Borthwick.

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Care won three Six Nations and went to Rugby World Cups in 2015 and 2023, when England reached the semifinals. He was injured before 2011 and dropped before 2019.

The sixth Englishman to earn a century of caps thanked the coaches for believing in him. He also gave gratitude to England supporters.

“It means the world,” he said, “and nothing will ever beat the feeling of walking out to all of you at Twickenham.”

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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby