EXPERIENCED back row Phil Dowson will retire from rugby at the end of the season to return to former club Northampton Saints as an assistant coach.
The Aviva Premiership veteran, who has featured 259 times in the competition, will return to the Franklin’s Gardens outfit where he spent six years before his arrival at Sixways in 2015.
Dowson has made 35 appearances for Warriors and has been called upon to skipper the side on a number of occasions in the absence of captain GJ van Velze.
Prior to joining Northampton, where he won the Premiership, Amlin Challenge Cup and LV= Cup, the 35-year-old made more than 120 appearances for Newcastle Falcons.
On the international front, Dowson won seven caps for England, having made his debut against Scotland in the 2012 RBS Six Nations.
After leading his country against the Barbarians at Twickenham, Dowson was selected for England’s 2012 tour of South Africa, where he featured in two of the three games.
The Guildford-born back row is just seven Premiership appearances away from becoming the tournament’s most capped player, sitting behind the retired George Chuter on 262 caps and Steve Borthwick on 265.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my two seasons at Sixways at a time when some of the best young players in the country have been integrated into the first-team set-up,” said Dowson.
“I have no doubt Warriors will move up the Premiership table in years to come and I wish everyone involved with the club the best of luck for the future,” he added.
Director of Rugby Gary Gold said: “Phil has been an important member of the first-team squad since his arrival at Sixways and is someone who continually looks to raise standards both on and off the pitch.
“He’s enjoyed an outstanding career in the top flight of English rugby and we wish him well for his move into coaching.”