October 28 down the years
Vickery forced to call time
Phil Vickery was forced to retire on this day in 2010
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2010
Legendary England prop Phil Vickery was forced to retire from rugby with immediate effect due to medical advice. One of the game's enduring characters, Vickery won the Rugby World Cup with England in 2003 before skippering his country to the final four years later, also winning Test caps on two British & Irish Lions tours. The tight-head's last Test match was the tourists' victory over South Africa in July 2009 - a game in which he exacted some manner of revenge on Tendai 'Beast' Mtawarira following a first Test mauling. The 34-year-old Cornwall native successfully fought back from serious back and neck injuries but was been forced to call it a day following another neck problem. At club level he played 11 seasons for Gloucester before moving to Wasps in 2006 - winning the Heineken Cup in 2007 and the Premiership title in 2008.
1967
England international Danny Hearn suffered a broken neck whilst lining out for Home Counties and Midlands in their clash with the touring All Blacks. Hearn's head hit a thighbone as he attempted to tackle his opposite centre, Ian MacRae, and he was left permanently paralysed. Despite being restricted to wheelchair, Hearn continued to coach rugby at Haileybury school.
He also became great friends with MacRae.
2005
The latest club v country spat to affect England rumbled in to view with the tearing up of the 2001 Long Form Agreement - a blueprint document drawn up by Twickenham and Premier Rugby on how the professional game should be organised. The RFU and Premier Rugby were immediately at loggerheads over player release for England's forthcoming November Tests. "PRL have advised the RFU management board representatives that they do not accept the RFU position, and will therefore oppose the RFU in the action that the management board has initiated,'' said Premier Rugby.
2007
Mike Catt called time on his England career after 75 caps and four World Cups. Part of the side that lifted the trophy in 2003, Catt made his final appearances in England's losing effort at the 2007 final. He also won a British & Irish Lions Test cap in his home country of South Africa in 1997. Catt would concentrate on his club career with London Irish, becoming a talismanic presence first as player and then coach.
1947
A Wallaby side intent on avenging its shock 1908 defeat by Llanelli overcame the second-half dismissal of Col Windon to claim a hard-fought 6-4 victory over the Scarlets at Stradey Park.
1950
Oxford University recorded a fine 11-6 victory over a Cardiff side containing five internationally-capped players, including Wales legend Cliff Morgan.
1972
Bryan Williams bagged a hat-trick as The All Blacks kick off their British Tour with an impressive 39-12 victory over Western Counties.
1972
Scotland duo Alastair Biggar and Ian Smith were both included in the Hong Kong squad for the Asian Championships. Smith was on army service at the time but Biggar was merely visiting on a business trip.
2003
Uruguay avoided the ignominy of finishing bottom of World Cup Pool C by overcoming tournament debutants Georgia 24-12 in Sydney.
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1. Max Verstappen ()
