ROOKIE Phil Vickery insists he has plenty to learn from taking his first steps in coaching after Cinderford snapped him up as consultant.

The 2003 World Cup winner retired from playing in 2010 because of repeated neck injuries but returns to Gloucestershire to cut his teeth with the Foresters in National One.

Vickery will be among familiar faces at Dockham Road with director of rugby and friend Andy Deacon joining former Gloucester players Lee Fortey and Dave Pointon as coaches.

The highly-decorated prop is not looking too far ahead in the future and is just concentrating on helping Cinderford move clear from the third tier of English rugby's relegation zone.

"I have always said I would like to get back involved in the game at some point but I don't think it is great to get straight back involved," said Vickery, who played in three World Cups for England, earning 73 caps, and won the Heineken Cup and Guinness Premiership with Wasps in 2006.

"You need a bit of time to think about things and then deal with what the future holds, it has been just over a year and I know Deacs really well.

"He is a friend and having had conversations with him, it is just a good step for me.

"I don't know if I am going to like getting into coaching or getting back involved in rugby but I sincerely hope I do and I want to so this is a natural step.

"I am really looking forward to it and I don't know it all and I don't fully understand things so I am very open minded and I want to learn a lot.

"I want to learn and I could not think of a better place to do so than an established club with established coaches.

"For me to come along and listen and try and make a difference and do what I love, I want to make a difference to an already successful rugby club.

"It is all so new and we don't know how it will work out 100 per cent yet with regards to what I will do and won't do.

"I am there to try and help and I will do whatever I can to develop the team and the club."

The prop, who made 145 appearances for Gloucester in 11 years, was given a glowing reference about the Dockham Road side after speaking to Brian Ashton.

The former England coach was impressed with Andy Deacon's men after seeing his own high-flying Fylde team win 37-22 at home against them last Saturday.

Vickery will have a similar role to that of Ashton at Fylde, who took the northern outfit up into National One last May.

The British and Irish Lion says he has been keeping a close eye on Cinderford for some time and did not need to be sold on them for too long.

"I speak to Brian on regular occasions anyway because he is someone I have always kept in touch with and I know he is enjoying his role up there but I am not trying to mould myself on anyone," added Vickery.

"The great thing about Cinderford is, and I have said this many times before, it is a proper rugby club and they want you and you are wanted there and that is important to me."