On the day that Phil Vickery finally hangs up his boots, we’ve put together a little video compilation of great YouTube clips.
Racing down the wing for Gloucester
Smashing Olivier Magne
Lions 1st Text v Australia in 2001
Winning the 2003 Rugby World Cup
Playing in the 2007 Rugby World Cup final
Winning the 3rd Lions Test v South Africa
Are there any other clips to add? Let us know if you can think of any.
The tributes have been pouring in, and here are a couple from the RFU:
MARTIN JOHNSON SAID:
“Phil is a great bloke and epitomised the team mate you always wanted to play a game of rugby with.”
RFU CHIEF EXECUTIVE JOHN STEELE SAID:
“Phil has been a superb ambassador to the game of Rugby Union at every level. He played and led England by example to a memorable RWC final in 2007. Phil has always given everything for England and to every club he has played for from Bude to Redruth through to his two professional clubs Gloucester Rugby and London Wasps. He will be sorely missed as a player but I am sure Phil will stay involved in the game moving forward. We wish him the best of luck for the future.”
Have you got the one of Jonah Lomu flattening him?
That and the Lions 1st Test in 2009 were considered, but decided that that’s not really how people will remember his career. Nobody wants to see those anyway!
Warrior. Ball in hand, socks down, fired up, bang.
Cracking stuff. An absolute hero. They say tighthead props are the most important players on the pitch these days (reflected in their pay packets). He was the solid as a rock tighthead in England’s greatest ever team so after a largely unsung career he deserves every one of theplaudits which have come his way over the past 24 hours. And just as importantly he ranks alongside Jason Leonard on the good bloke scale.