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Greening forced to retire

12/10/2005

Former England hooker Phil Greening has been forced to retire from rugby after failing to recover from a foot injury.

The 30-year-old, who sustained the injury during last season's Premiership final at Twickenham while playing for Wasps against Leicester, had an operation in July but there has been no improvement in the foot and Greening has been forced to quit.

"Phil has given great service to England and the clubs he has played for," England head coach Andy Robinson said.

Greening, who made his England debut in 1996 against Italy and won 24 caps, won the Heineken Cup, three Premiership titles and the European Shield while at Wasps.

"Phil has been a great servant to the club during his time at Wasps and we wish him the best of luck for what he does for the future," Wasps chairman Chris Wright said.

Greening played his last game for England against Ireland in the 2001 Six Nations but his form towards the end of last season led many rugby commentators to believe that he was close to an England recall.

"He was returning to the form he had several years ago at the end of last season, and it is a blow for him, Wasps and England that his career has been cut short," Robinson added.

Greening also played for Gloucester and Sale Sharks.

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