MIKE TINDALL spurred England’s class of 2003 to prolong their World Cupwinning generation beyond expectation, according to Phil Vickery.

Vickery hailed Tindall as a “driving force” of England’s 2003 triumph, after the 35-year-old centre called time on his 17-year career.

Tindall confirmed his retirement yesterday after nine years with Gloucester and eight at Bath - the last of England’s World Cup winners to call it a day.

The Otley-born midfielder won 75 caps for England, helping swipe the 2003 Grand Slam en route to the World Cup victory in Australia.

World Cup-winning teammate Vickery believes Tindall’s lust for rugby rubbed off on Jonny Wilkinson and Iain Balshaw, the other stars from 2003 to retire this summer.

“Inevitably it is the end of an era: I know we’ll always be remembered as a squad together, but we mustn’t forget what Mike brought to the England jersey in particular,” Vickery said.

“Mike’s a good, honest, straightforward rugby player and that’s what I love about him.

“He can be extremely proud of what he’s done with his rugby career.

“Things have to come to an end though, and I think it’s probably lasted longer than some people thought, for that group of players.

“For the last person to be retiring 11 years after winning the trophy, I think that’s pretty impressive actually.

“That’s a fair amount more than what could have been expected or asked, and it speaks volumes about the sheer quality of that squad.”