Rugby: Quinnell to quit after World Cup

Wales captain Scott Quinnell will retire from international rugby after next year’s World Cup but admits he needs a ‘‘miracle’’ to recover from injury in time.

The 29-year-old Llanelli star missed yesterday’s Lloyds TSB Six Nations defeat by Scotland through injury and will sit out the summer tour to South Africa.

But Quinnell is desperate to regain full fitness in time for the World Cup in Australia for a final fling on the international stage.

He told Wales on Sunday: ‘‘If I get to the World Cup, and that will be a miracle at the moment, it will be over for me after that.

‘‘My body is a wreck at the moment with a knee problem, neck injury and shin problem. In my heart of hearts I feel I will be lucky to get to Australia.

‘‘I would love to be a part of another World Cup and hopefully, after a rest in the summer, that will help me get there.’’