Phil Vickery Retires

conf101

http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2010/1028/vickeryp.html

Vickery calls time on career

Thursday, 28 October 2010 09:58
Phil Vickery has been forced to retire from rugby with immediate effect.

The former British and Irish Lions, England and Wasps prop is set to announce his decision at a press conference later today.

It is understood Vickery, a World Cup winner from 2003 and a former England captain, has been forced to follow medical advice after suffering another neck injury.

The 34-year-old had successfully come back from four major back and neck operations before - but this time he was warned the risk of serious injury was too great.

The news will be a blow to Vickery. The man nicknamed Raging Bull had been talking about forcing his way back into England's World Cup plans and extending his playing days by another year.
Vickery's final international appearance was for the Lions in their third Test victory over South Africa at Ellis Park in the summer of 2009.

His final game for Wasps, on 25 September, was against Gloucester at Kingsholm, the club where he had spent 11 years after moving from Cornwall.

themont85

Great player. He was at his best around 2003 but still has been one of the few Englishmen to but in consistent performances for his country and club since that win.

pappyodaniel

A good prop but I will always remember him as the guy who 'The Beast' completely dismantled in the 1st Lions Test.

freyners

tbh i never liked vickery that much... cant put my finger on why but there was something about thim that rubbed me up the wrong way whenever i saw him play

saying that he was a talented prop. hope his business goes well for him

tolosenc

Had a woeful 2009, and that's what sticks out in my mind. The penalties he gave away at scrum time in both the 6N and the Lions were so many it was hard to count.

danthefan

Absolutely fantastic player, won basically everything there was to win.