Phil 'Raging Bull' Vickery calls it a day

Phil Vickery has today retired on medical advice. He won 73 England caps during a 12-year international career, went on two tours with the Lions and made 190 appearances in total for his two clubs.

The prop's senior career will have ended fittingly last month where it had started 15 years before, at Gloucester, the club where he spent 11 years in the front row. He led Wasps in the Premiership game but was then ruled out by shingles.

Born in Cornwall, he joined Gloucester from Redruth. He was 21 when he made his international debut, against Wales in 1998, and took part in the World Cup the following year after recovering from a neck injury.

He played in the 2003 and 2007 World Cup finals, captaining England in the latter. He was released by Gloucester in 2006 because they were concerned that, after operations on his neck and back, he did not have long left in the game.

Vickery proved them wrong and spent four years with Wasps, keeping his place in the national squad and touring South Africa with the Lions last year, playing in the first and third Tests.

He published his autobiography, Raging Bull, this month and ended it by saying: "I love everything about rugby. I hope I am involved in the game, in some way or another, for the rest of my days. I just cannot imagine life without it."

Vickery's retirement is proof of the growing toll professional rugby is having on players. His fellow prop in the 2003 World Cup final, Trevor Woodman, had to give up the game because of injury, as did the hooker, Steve Thompson, only to resurrect his career two years later. Another prop involved with England in 2003, Robbie Morris, is retiring because of a spinal condition.

On the announcement Wasps' Director of Rugby Tony Hanks, said, "The injury sustained at Gloucester was hugely disappointing for Vicks because we felt he came back after the pre- season in the best shape he's been in for a long time and was really back to his best.

"I don't think you can underestimate his contribution to Wasps, both on the pitch and through the leadership that he's brought. He has fully bought into the Wasps culture and become a strong advocate of it. We wish him, Kate and their family all the very best for the future and I'm sure that, as Vicks has said, this is not the end of Phil Vickery and Wasps."

"I'm not afraid of fighting back or proving people wrong but there comes a stage when you have to listen and trust in the experts and it is based on medical reasons that I have been forced to retire," Vickery said.

"I will look back on my career with a lot of happy memories. I feel privileged to have been part of some amazing teams in Wasps and Gloucester, to have worked with the best coaches in the world, and to have played against and with some of the best players in the game.

"Through the sad times, the injuries and the setbacks, my desire and passion for the game has never wavered. Rugby has given me an awful lot and I still love the game and I look back with real happiness. It's been amazing.

"As well as Wasps, I will miss playing for England dearly. To be able to stand on a rugby field and sing our national anthem was truly brilliant, an amazing experience and one which I have never taken for granted."

Thanks for the memories Vicks.

Phil Vickery Fact File

1976: Born March 14 in Barnstaple. Begins rugby career with Bude and later plays for Redruth.
1995: Joins Gloucester.
1998: February 21 - Makes England debut in Five Nations match against Wales after just 34 appearances at club level.
1999: Recovers from neck injury to play for England in the World Cup.
2001: Plays all three Tests for the British and Irish Lions against Australia.
2002: Captains a below-strength England to Test victory over Argentina in Buenos Aires.
2003: February - Misses England's Grand Slam campaign after suffering a disc injury.
October - Plays in every World Cup match and starts the final as England beat Australia 20-17.
2005: Misses the British and Irish Lions' tour to New Zealand with a broken arm.
2006: Requires a third back operation. Leaves Gloucester after 11 years and signs three-year deal with Wasps.
2007: January 2 - Appointed England captain by new head coach Brian Ashton for the Six Nations
May - Wins the Heineken Cup with Wasps.
October - Captains England to the World Cup final, where they are eventually beaten by South Africa.
2008: Wins the Guinness Premiership title with Wasps.
2009: Selected for the British and Irish Lions' tour of South Africa. Starts the first Test defeat and the third Test victory.
October - Requires neck surgery after a scrum collapses in a game against Racing Metro.
2010: October 28 - Announces his retirement after suffering another neck injury.

Listen to the official RFU Podcast, where Phil Vickery reflects on his decision to retire and his distinguished rugby career.