SA-born Nel opens up on neck injury

Cape Town - Scotland tighthead prop WP Nel has admitted he feared for his career after being sidelined with a neck injury over the past eight months.

The 31-year-old, who sustained neck injuries in October and January, returned to the Test team on Saturday in their 34-13 win over Italy.

Problems with his neck meant that he wasn't considered for Lions selection, with Nel revealing he didn't know whether he would play again.

"There was doubt, definitely," he told BBC Scotland after the win in Singapore.

"Saturday was quite emotional just being back on the pitch. Just realising I had a second chance."

The South African-born front-rower added on the prospect of forced retirement: "There were times when I thought 'maybe let's just cut it now', especially the second time it happened.

"I missed eight months and I now feel like I can go on for another five or six years."