How sad it is to see that another of the powerful has fallen. Phil Vickery has been declared bankrupt, forcing the former England captain and World Cup winner to withdraw from several businesses.
The ‘Raging Bull’ is said to owe almost £100,000 to his management consultancy, Vix Ltd, which has gone into liquidation. There were also reports of unpaid tax bills, following the news that the 2011 Celebrity Masterchef winner’s No. 3 restaurants had been forced to close earlier this year, due to the cost of living crisis that has hit the industry. hotel.
At 48 years old, Vickery appears to be struggling with his health, as well as his bleak financial situation. Late last year, it was revealed that the huge prop idol had joined a class action lawsuit against several rugby governing bodies, on behalf of former players suffering the after-effects of repeated head injuries.
Another prominent member of that class action is another of the 2003 heroes, Steve Thompson, a colossal force as a hooker for Northampton and England during his decorated career. So two of that historic Red Rose front row are chronically struggling since the glory era ended. All those who reveled in his achievement will lament his plight.
It raises a wider question: how English rugby does not appear to have done enough to find roles for its world champions. Perhaps steps were taken and offers made that were rejected. But it is surprising to see how few of Sir Clive Woodward’s world champions now work full-time in elite football.
It’s sad to see how another of England’s 2003 world champions has fallen after Phil Vickery was declared bankrupt.
Vickery has also struggled with his health and English rugby does not appear to have done enough to support its heroes.
A few are actively involved in frontline training; Mike Catt, Dorian West, Joe Worsley and Trevor Woodman. Richard Hill is back in the England set-up as national team coach, acting as a trusted advisor to coach Steve Borthwick, especially in his area of ​​expertise; the last row.
But many others have followed different careers. Even talismanic leader Martin Johnson is out of the English rugby picture, having been persuaded to take charge of England in 2008 and left hastily after the 2011 World Cup debacle.
Jonny Wilkinson acts as a kicking guru, coming to camp regularly, but he and several other World Cup winners are more familiar these days with on-screen and sponsorship pundit roles.
It just seems a shame that so much intellectual property and quality inspiration has been lost. One could argue that more should have been done to keep these acclaimed men in the system, even if simply as ambassadors. Perhaps English rugby simply didn’t realize how long it would be until the next momentous triumph, so it didn’t do enough for these conquerors.
Steve Thompson (right) is among stars who have joined a class action lawsuit against several rugby governing bodies over repeated head injuries.
Many players from the famous 2003 team have gone on to disparate careers.
Individual choices are a factor, of course, but advice from the Rugby Players’ Association and others on post-career planning has certainly improved markedly since the class of 2003 retired. Awareness of health risks has also improved markedly.
In retrospect, the players of those days can be considered to have participated in the period of greatest danger, as rugby had been driven by professionalism, but had not yet reached the heights of either financial profitability or knowledge over the spectrum of the concussion. .
Vickery was a formidable figure. A quick trip down the memory banks highlights his thunderous contribution to England’s famous victory over the All Blacks in Wellington, 2003. There are plenty of snapshots from his time as a cult favorite at Gloucester and his subsequent successes. in Wasps. He led England’s improbable run to the World Cup final in 2007 and two years later, he enjoyed the Lions’ redemption after a first Test ordeal against the Beast of South Africa: Tendai Mtawarira.
He was a good player and he is a good man. We hope he finds a way out of the current deep hole and that the rugby community comes together as much as possible.
SCOTLAND’S FIGHT AGAINST FRANCE RAISES SIX NATIONS
England claimed another impressive victory in the Women’s Six Nations on Saturday – 46-10 over Wales, in front of a huge crowd at Ashton Gate. But the match that really added to the credibility of the whole event took place north of the border, when Scotland put up an almighty fight against France.
The spirited hosts led 5-3 at half-time in Edinburgh and threatened a seismic upset before the visitors rallied to win 15-5, a scoreline that was tough on the Scots, who conceded a try in the final minute. Their improvement is really important for the health of women’s football.
What the tournament needs is less predictability, creating the perception that it only begins in earnest when England faces France in the championship final (this year’s edition will be on April 27 in Bordeaux). Before then, perhaps the rise of Scotland can make life uncomfortable for the imperious English, to add a welcome advantage of danger and avoid the feeling that four rounds act merely as a warm-up process.
BRISTOL LEADS THE CHARGE IN BONKERS SEASON
Bristol are flying and forcing themselves into the Premiership play-off mix, following their victory over Gloucester at Kingsholm, a week after a half-century defeat against table-topping Northampton. There was always a chance for a team to come out of the blocks after the offseason for this draft, and the Bears are doing just that.
His role comes just months after a sequence of five consecutive defeats sparked further speculation over Pat Lam’s future as director of rugby at the wealthy West Country club. But he has turned his season around and they have the kind of momentum that their rivals struggle to achieve. Frankly, the league is crazy right now.
The Saints responded to their drubbing in Bristol by hitting Saracens, who lost that vibrant Friday night game in the East Midlands after scoring 52 points on Harlequins six days earlier. Logic has been run out of town. Such crazy results mean that no one has any idea who will end up winning the title, which, of course, is as it should be.
Pat Lam has given Bristol Bears the boost their rivals are struggling to achieve in a crazy Premiership season.
FARRELL’S DATE BELOW
The schedule for the 2024-25 French club season was released last week, showing that the Top 14 league will culminate with semi-finals on June 21, 2005 and a final on June 28, which happens to be the day the teams play. Lions. their first match of the Australian tour against Western Force in Perth.
This is very significant, since even if Racing 92 makes it to the decisive match of the French final, Owen Farrell could be in Australia in time (jetlag permitting) to participate in the second match of the tour against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane on July 2. And if Racing does not reach the final, it could participate in the entire British and Irish mission. One way or another, there is a good chance that Farrell jnr will appear in the famous red shirt next summer.
BATH RIGHT TO BE FURIOUS ABOUT SIN-BIN CHAOS
Last word: more problems with refereeing. Oh really. This isn’t an accidental reprint of last week’s column, it’s another mess entirely.
The RFU were forced to apologize after Harlequins lock Irne Herbst was able to return from a spell in the sin-bin three minutes earlier in the game against Bath at The Stoop.
Bath have every right to be furious after Harlequins lock Irne Herbst was able to return from a stint in the bin three minutes earlier
This influenced the outcome of a close match, but the union apologized to both clubs. Because? Only one of them has been left with a grievance.
Bath has every right to be outraged and also to take the matter further. The RFU says the result will and surely will stand, but such a basic and flagrant error is unacceptable at a professional level.
He wouldn’t even be good enough in a school game. It happened a week after the episode at Saracens-Quins, where the match’s television referee seemed to overlook possible foul play, as had been mentioned in the television commentary. That was not adequately explained and neither has this latest farce. Rugby needs to do everything it can to support referees but these are howlers.