Former England winger now plays in the fifth tier aged 37

Sunday, 06 November 2022 at 09:10

byRugby Rucker

Former England winger Tom Varndell had a try-scoring debut as he touched down the crucial score in Oxford Harlequins 24-17 win against Bracknell.

The 37-year-old winger has had a glittering career which has seen him lift the Premiership title twice, represent his country in different formats of the game and set some individual records, notably as the top tier’s leading try scorer for a time.

Varndell made a standout debut as he scored the decisive score for Quins, who play in the London and South East Premier. It’s certainly a far cry from Twickenham.

The former Leicester Tigers, Wasps and four-time England-capped player was more than ready to draw a line under his professional career. It was never going to be the end for him on a rugby pitch though.

“I was up at Yorkshire Carnegie for a little bit and the season was cut short due to obvious reasons,” he told the Free Press.

“I have actually got into sports management and sports agency looking after other players and that is pretty much my 9-5 job. So for me it was a case of my next chapter. However, I want to keep playing as long as I can.”

Varndell isn't the first former England winger to ditch retirement to play in the lower tiers. Jason Robinson famously came out of retirement to help Fylde RFC to promotion during the 2010/11 season.

5 more England legends you didn’t know are still playing

A number of veteran England internationals are proving that age is just a number as they continue to play professionally into their late 30s.

#1. Mike Tindall (Minchinhampton)

Age: 42
Total caps: 75
Last appearance: vs Scotland (October 2010)

England legend and World Cup winner Mike Tindall plays a selection of matches for Minchinhampton, the club close to his home. The centre played outside centre for Bath and Gloucester, and won 75 caps for England between 2000 and 2011. He was a member of the England squad which won the 2003 World Cup.

Mike Tindall Facts:

Tindall is married to Zara Phillips, the daughter of Anne, Princess Royal, and the eldest granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
He is regarded as one of the best players to never wear the Lions jersey, However, he did play against them as part of a Barbarians XV in 2013.
Tindall, whose nose was famously broken at least eight times during his rugby career, underwent a surgery in 2018 which fixed the fractures.
Mike’s sometimes nickname is “The Fridge” due to his sizeable 6ft 2inch bulk.
Every year since 2013, Mike has hosted an event called ISPS HANDA Mike Tindall Celebrity Golf Classic, where several celebrities come together to raise money and awareness for disability groups and in aid of curing Parkinson’s disease

#2. Phil Vickery (Various)

Age: 46
Total caps:78
Last appearance: vs New Zealand (June 2014)

The World Cup-winning tighthead has played in four or five charity games this season and doesn't appear to have lost a step.

He retired with 73 England caps and five Test appearances for the Lions, three of them against Australia in 2001 and two versus the Springboks in 2009.Advertisement

Although he missed the 2003 Grand Slam campaign through injury, Vickery returned to play a key role in England's World Cup triumph in Australia.

Phil Vickery facts:

He was a member of England’s World Cup winning squad in 2003, playing in all seven matches in the tournament
Vickery ended his club rugby career at London Wasps, joining the London side in 2006 after eleven years with Gloucester Rugby
Given the nickname “Raging Bull”, he played in three Rugby World Cups, including as England captain in the 2007 tournament
The prop toured Australia and South Africa with the British & Irish Lions
Vickery has an Oriental tattoo on his left shoulder which roughly translates to “I’ll fight you to the death“

#3. Stephen Myler (Ospreys)

Age: 37
Total caps: 1
Last appearance: vs Argentina (June 2013)

The 37-year-old has signed a contract extension to remain with the Welsh region for another season. The once-capped England international joined the region in 2020 from London Irish with his new contract marking his 20th year and his 21st season as a professional rugby player.

Stephen Myler of Northampton kicks off - Photo mandatory by-line: Phil Mingo/Pinnacle - Tel: +44(0)1363 881025 - Mobile:0797 1270 681 - VAT Reg No: 768 6958 48 - 310514 - SPORT - RUGBY UNION - AVIVA PREMIERSHIP FINAL - Saracens v Northampton Saints - Twickenham, London, England

#4. Chris Pennell

Age: 35
Total caps: 1
Last appearance: New Zealand v England at Auckland, Jun 7, 2014

Pennell’s glittering career with Warriors came to an end when he left Sixways for one final time at the end of the 2020/21 season to join Dallas Jackals in Major League Rugby.

#5. Steffon Armitage

Age: 36
Total caps: 5
Last appearance: vs Italy (February 2010)

Rugby Pass have reported that the former England number 8 will depart Biarritz this summer for a stint in the third tier in French rugby.

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Steffon Armitage will never have to pay for a drink in Biarritz again. After their promotion decider against Basque rivals Bayonne was tied at 6-6 after normal time, the match finished on a penalty shootout and saw Armitage strike the winning kick!