Leeds Rhinos Wheelchair and England player James Simpson has announced his retirement after an outstanding 10-year career. The Leeds-born player, who made his debut for the Rhinos in 2012, played in seven Grand Finals with his hometown team, winning the title in 2018 and again in 2021.
He also captained the side to three Challenge Cup Final victories and the League Leaders Shield in 2019, 2021 and 2022. On the international stage, Simpson has been a regular for England and won 31 caps, playing in the World Cup for the first time in 2017 before being part of last year’s World Cup-winning squad.
Former solider in the British Army, in 2009, whilst in deployment in Afghanistan, Simpson tripped an IED whilst on a routine patrol, causing life-changing injuries which saw him lose both of his legs, three fingers and the muscle from his right forearm. He then took up wheelchair rugby league and said: “I made the decision a few years ago that I would retire from playing after ten years.
