Cueto burst onto the international scene against Canada in 2004 with two tries on his debut and caught the eye in the following season’s RBS 6 Nations with a hat-trick against Italy at Twickenham.

In his 55 Tests for England he’s scored 20 tries but he will also be remembered for one he didn’t score – in the 2007 World Cup Final against South Africa.

Having not won a cap since the 2011 World Cup quarter-final against France, Cueto has been out of favour under new head coach Stuart Lancaster but the Sale flyer was philosophical about his fall from grace.

“I'm still available but I understand the situation, I'm slipping out gracefully, said Cueto,” who also won one cap on the 2005 Lions tour.

"You always hold a little light but you've got to be realistic. I know I'm not going to play for England again.

"I'm not just going to announce my retirement because I know that. I never wanted to officially announce that I was retiring. It's not the sort of thing that I wanted to do.

"I'd always say I'm available but it's not going to happen now. I'm just going to look forward to working hard and playing well for Sale in my last few years."