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Vickery finishes the game with an incredible CV that includes the England captaincy, a World Cup winners medal, 73 caps for his country, two Six Nations titles, five Lions caps, a Heineken Cup title and a Premiership title.
The Cornish born prop began his career with Bude and then Redruth before spending ten years at Gloucester where he West Country giants on 46 occasions.
The man that has made 60 European appearances also lead the Lions in the fifith tour match in 2009 against Western Province.
"Anyone that knows me will know that I can be a bit headstrong - 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", said Vickery.
"My love and passion for the game is still there which is the most disappointing thing for me - I wanted to end my career playing and playing with Wasps.
Prior to the Gloucester game the conversations with Tony Hanks and Steve Hayes were centred on extending my contract for another year - four or five weeks down the line and I have to stop playing and for me that is just horrible.
It's not a nice feeling and ultimately I'm a sportsman so in my head it feels like admitting defeat, but I've got faith in Richard Nelson and Prav Mathema and they have been nothing but honest with me from day one - when they say that enough is enough you have to listen.
"My desire and want to play is still as strong as it's ever been but this is something that has to happen and I'm looking forward to the next chapter. I suppose in a way when one door closes another opens.
"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 set backs, 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."
