Jermaine McGillvary, the Huddersfield Giants’ winger, today announces his retirement from international Rugby League with immediate effect.

34-year old McGillvary made his international debut for England against New Zealand in 2015, and scored 12 tries in 17 appearances for England and four for Great Britain on the GB Lions’ 2019 tour of the Southern Hemisphere. His last appearance on the international stage was for the Combined Nations All Stars against England in 2021 – an impressive performance which he capped with a typically well-taken try.

McGillvary’s international reputation was secured with a series of outstanding performances during the 2017 World Cup in Australia, where he scored seven tries in five games and made more metres than any other player in the tournament. He played on the wing in England’s narrow 6-0 defeat by Australia in the final in Brisbane.

Jermaine McGillvary explains: “It’s not a decision I’ve taken lightly, I’ve given it a lot of thought and it feels like the right time. When I started out I never believed I would represent my country, but I’m immensely proud of what I’ve achieved.

“The 2017 World Cup was the pinnacle of my career. The whole experience – on and off the field – was incredible. I went from being an unknown to being in demand from NRL agents, got to play alongside the likes of Sean O’Loughlin and James Graham, and off the field got to mix with legends like Adrian Morley and Jamie Peacock. It was a dream come true.

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— England Rugby League (@England_RL) June 2, 2022

“England are well blessed with quality wingers and I wish them well. I’m still going strong with Huddersfield Giants and I’m contracted till the end of 2023. I’ll see how I feel then.”

McGillvary’s decision comes ahead of England’s mid-season international against the Combined Nations All Stars at Warrington a week on Saturday (18 June) and reduces England Head Coach Shaun Wane’s wing options.

Shaun Wane says: “Jerry is a fantastic player and has been a tremendous servant to England, Great Britain and Huddersfield over the years. His form is still good enough, but he wants to devote the rest of his career to his club and I fully understand his decision. Everybody within the England camp thinks very highly of him and we wish him well.”

McGillvary will continue to play for the Giants, for whom he has scored 198 tries in 294 first team appearances since 2010.