Rob Vickers to retire at the end of the season

After 12 years and more than 250 appearances for Newcastle Falcons, front-row forward Rob Vickers has announced he will retire from playing at the end of the current season.

“I’ve had a number of discussions with Dean Richards and, to be fair, I just think I’m ready for it,” said Vickers, who joined the Falcons following his studies at Durham University.

Playing in all but three of the Falcons’ 21 Premiership matches this season, Vickers scored a dramatic late match-winner in Newcastle’s last home win over Sale Sharks and was on the field during the dramatic climax at Leicester Tigers last Friday.

“I feel as though I’ve still been contributing to the team this season but I’ve always said I didn’t want to stay on too long and be that player who just hangs around, and eventually falls off a cliff,” said the loose-head, who converted to prop midway through a career which had began with him playing at hooker.

“For me this is the perfect time with the team flying high, with me still playing a genuine part, and it just feels like the moment to step aside and let someone else come through to keep this team moving forward.”

Newcastle Falcons director of rugby Dean Richards added: “Bobby is just an incredible person and a fabulous member of our group.

 “He keeps himself in tremendous shape, he contributes on the field and even behind the scenes he is an immensely valuable figure. Everyone knows his ability to score tries from close range, he does it time and again and I don’t think you can emphasise enough how big an influence he has been for us.

“I know the crowd will give him a huge ovation on Saturday at the Wasps game, which will be richly deserved, but with a Premiership semi-final and hopefully a final to come he still has a big part to play in the success of this club.”