Tim Payne forced to retire

London Wasps prop Tim Payne is to retire from the game on medical advice following a neck injury he suffered towards the end of last season.
In his ten years at Wasps, the loosehead played 266 games winning three Premiership titles as well as two Heineken Cup and a Poewrgen Cup.
His success at club level was also recognised at international level and he went on to earn 22 England caps while representing the Brithish & Irish Lions in 2009 in South Africa.
He said: “I am gutted that I have been forced to call it a day. I was injured towards the end of the season and not recovering from it wasn’t something I saw coming, but I accept that is the nature of the game.
“That doesn’t however make it any less disappointing for me especially because I was still very much enjoying playing, training and the progress at Wasps, and I will especially miss the camaraderie you get with the players. I feel I have been hugely fortunate in my career to play in some great teams with great players and winning titles with Wasps is something I have immense pride in alongside representing my country and the British and Irish Lions.
“I will look back fondly on some great memories. I would like to think I will stay involved in the game and I want to thank all of the players and coaches I have worked with as well as my family, friends and supporters who have backed me throughout my career.”
Director of Rugby Dai Young said: “Tim has been a superb servant to Wasps for over ten years and he has been an important player through good times and bad for this Club.
“Though it is obviously disappointing for him that he has been forced to retire rather than decide himself when to stop playing, he can look back with great pride on his career.
“To play for one club over 250 times and to win domestic and European titles as well as playing for England and the Lions are all fantastic achievements and I speak for everyone when I say we wish him all the best in the next stage of his life.”