Former England hooker Matt Cairns has been forced to retire due to an ankle injury.

Cairns joined Harlequins last year but spent a decade of his career at Saracens across two spells sandwiched by a season at Sale.

The 34-year-old won his solitary cap as a replacement against South Africa in 2007.

"Rugby has been such a massive part of my life so the fact that my career has ended sooner than expected has been difficult to accept," said Cairns.

"While I'll miss the camaraderie of the great players that I've played with, I have lots of happy memories."