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Factfile on England World Cup-winner Mike Tindall following his retirement

England World Cup-winner Mike Tindall has announced his retirement from professional rugby.

Here Skysports.com looks back at highs and lows of his long rugby career.

1978: Born October 18, in Otley, West Yorkshire.

1997: Joins Bath straight from a private education at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield.

2000: Makes England debut in Six Nations match against Ireland at Twickenham, scoring a try in the 50-18 win.

2003: Forms England centre partnership with Will Greenwood, winning the World Cup against Australia in Sydney and a Grand Slam in the Six Nations.

2005: Misses Lions tour with a foot injury and later joins Gloucester after fall-out with Bath owner Andrew Brownsword.

Mike Tindall of Gloucester shouts instructions during the Aviva Premiership match between Gloucester and London Irish
Image: Mike Tindall: Joined Gloucester in 2005

2007: Breaks leg in tackle on Toby Flood during a Premiership game against Newcastle and misses the World Cup.

2008: Suffers punctured lung and damaged liver in Six Nations match against Wales, spending five days in intensive care.

2009: Banned from driving for three years after pleading guilty to drink-driving following a day out at Cheltenham Festival. Misses Lions tour with a knee injury.

2010: Announces engagement to Zara Phillips, daughter of Princess Anne.

2011: February - Captains England for the first time in Six Nations match against Wales.

July - Marries Phillips in Edinburgh.

October - Captains England at the World Cup in New Zealand but is criticised after leading players on a night out in Queenstown. England are eliminated after a quarter-final defeat to France.

November 11 - Fined £25,000 and kicked out of England elite squad after a Rugby Football Union hearing into his misdemeanours at the World Cup.

November 28 - RFU announces Tindall fine has been reduced on appeal to £15,000 and he has been reinstated in the elite player squad.

2012: Selected for the Barbarians for the first time and plays against England, Ireland and Wales.

2013: Agrees to extend contract as player-coach at Gloucester to the end of the 2013-14 season but the team endure a disappointing campaign, finishing ninth.

2014: January - Tindall and Phillips announce the birth of their first child, a baby girl.

July - Tindall announces his retirement from professional rugby.

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