What Harry could have gone on to do, who knows? And that's sad for him Richard Cockerill on Harry Ellis

Leicester head coach Richard Cockerill says England and Tigers scrum-half Harry Ellis should look back on his rugby achievements with great pride.

Ellis, 28, was forced to announce his retirement this week after failing to recover from a serious knee injury.

Cockerill told BBC Radio Leicester: "He has done more than a lot of people will ever do in a lifetime on a rugby field.

"Having to retire at 28 is sad but Harry made the best of what he had. He has been fantastic."

Ellis progressed through the youth ranks and reached the very top of the sport but a serious knee injury in 2007 was further aggravated last season and he had no choice but to quit.

Cockerill added: "Harry fought against it long and hard but it was probably inevitable in the end which is very sad. The club will miss the quality Harry brought and will miss him a lot both on and off the field.

"We have known for a while that the knee has not been as it should be. You try to get through it; everyone who has played professional sport wants to keep playing.

"I always wanted Harry to be in the squad but he couldn't train and couldn't do the work he needed to do.

"It was ongoing and eventually something has to give. You have to be back in the mix and able to do it or not - but your body tells you in the end and the knee had enough of running around and doing the intense training that we have to do.

"Harry was here at 16 and has come through played for the academy, played for the first team, played for England and played for the Lions. At 28 that is a fantastic achievement and what he could have gone on to do, who knows? And that's sad for him.

"He was a fantastic spirit and if anybody embodies the spirit of Leicester Tigers and the grit and determination to succeed it was Harry. The club will miss that."

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