Former England and British and Irish Lions winger Mark Cueto will be aiming to make the most of his “bonus year” after announcing his decision to bring his 14-year playing career to an end.

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The Aviva Premiership’s most prolific try-scorer, who turned 35 on Boxing Day, will hang up his boots at the end of the season, he announced at a press conference at the Sharks’ training ground in Manchester yesterday.

“In my head, I could carry on playing forever, but the body is not doing what the mind tells it to,” said Cueto, who is happy to be able to 
retire on his own terms.

“I’m 35 and it’s getting harder day to day. This year was always a bit of a bonus year, and the time is now right to call it a day. When I made my debut back in 2001, I could hardly have dreamed that I would play for Sale Sharks for 14 seasons, represented my country all over the world and played with and against some of the all-time greats.”

Workington-born Cueto, who joined Sale straight from university, has so far made 294 appearances for Sale and is the Premiership’s all-time leading scorer with 87 tries.

With Wasps winger Tom Varndell breathing down his neck, he does not expect his record to last for long.

He said: I’d love to be able to keep the tag forever and a day, but I’m realistic. Tom’s an unbelievable try-scorer and he’s only 29. As long as he stays in the Premiership, he will nick it one day.”