FORMER England captain Phil Vickery struggled to keep his emotions in check yesterday as the moment he dreaded finally arrived and he admitted: “I have been forced to retire.”

The 34-year-old prop has been in left in severe pain by a neck injury he suffered while captaining Wasps against his old club Gloucester on September 25.

Vickery successfully recovered from four major back and neck operations during his 15- year professional career, but this time the risk of serious injury was too great.

“It is difficult to take. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t been quite emotional these last few days,” said Vickery.

“I’ve been lying in bed at night thinking what to do and what’s right – but I’ve made the right decision.

“I’m not finishing because I don’t want it any more. It’s just enough’s enough. I’ve got to accept that as a sportsman.

“Rugby has given me everything in my life. It has been a dream run. I look back with real happiness and it’s been amazing.

“Through the sad times, the injuries and the setbacks, my desire and passion for the game has never wavered.

“The more I look back and think about it the more I think what I’ve done is fantastic and I have a lot of fond memories but, of course, it’s sad.

“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.”

The decision to retire hit Vickery hard. After battling back from a serious neck operation last season, his sights were set on a new contract with Wasps and a return to the England fold in time for next year’s World Cup.

But it became clear soon after that game at Kingsholm – his previous home for 11 years – that something was not right and Vickery has spent the last four weeks in close consultation with neurologist Richard Nelson and Wasps physio Prav Mathema.

Vickery already knew this time was a bit different to the four previous back and neck injuries he had returned from.

“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,” added Vickery.