Phil Vickery reacts to teammates decision to sue World Rugby
Rugby NewsThursday, 10 December 2020 at 08:49
England legend Phil Vickery has been reacting to the news that his former teammate Steve Thompson plans to sue World Rugby over negligence.
The front-rower, who teamed up with the hooker to help England win the 2003 Rugby World Cup, has revealed that this situation was inevitable.
“I’d love to say I’m surprised and I was shocked, but sadly this has been rumbling and the noises have been around this for a little while," revealed Vickery to Talk Sport.
“I kind of knew it was coming, which is sad. To be honest I actually felt emotional, not just for Steve Thompson, but for the other guys because [it’s] people you played with and against.
“Steve and his family, knowing him, I’ve been through some special times with the guy and it’s worrying.”
He added: “If you ask my wife, does she want my son to play? The answer is absolutely 100 per cent ‘no’ because she’s seen what it’s done to me. But that’s mums and their boys.
“There is a balance. What I’d love is for us to be honest and be honest about the real impacts of it. It’s not going to go away. Let’s deal with it in the right way.
“We talk about the values of my sport – honesty and integrity – well let’s have some honesty and some of that is going to hurt.
“They are not going to be some nice conversations, but let’s have them, let’s sort them out and let’s lead the way.”
EDITORS PICKS:
- All Black legend Dan Carter ranks his five toughest opponents
- The current 36-man Lions squad, according to the bookies
- Piers Morgan picks his all-time greatest rugby XV
- Every Premiership club’s best player out of contract in 2021
2003 World Cup final WAGS
15. Josh Lewsey - possibly single
Most recently known to have dated British Winter Olympic gold medalist Amy Williams in 2012 but it didn't work out.
14. Jason Robinson - Sian Griffin
Robinson divorced first wife Amanda, with whom he has six children including; Cameron, Jemimah, Joseph and Lewis. In June 2017 he married Sian Griffin with whom he has one son, Noah.
13. Will Greenwood - Caroline Greenwood
Greenwood and his wife, Caroline, have three children. They previously had a son Freddie who died 45 minutes after his birth in 2002. He is a patron of Child Bereavement UK, a charity which supports parents who have lost a child.
12. Mike Tindall - Zara Phillips
In 2010, it was announced that Tindall was engaged to Zara Phillips, only daughter of Anne, Princess Royal and the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II. The couple, who now have two daughters, first met during the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
11. Ben Cohen - Kristina Rihanoff
The winger was married to Abby Blayney in 2003, and has twin daughters with her, whom they named Harriette and Isabelle. The couple were estranged since 2014, and divorced in March 2016. In January 2016 it was announced, his former Strictly Come Dancing dance partner and now girlfriend, Kristina Rihanoff, have had their first child together, a daughter named Milena.
10. Jonny Wilkinson - Shelley Jenkins
In 2013, Wilkinson married his girlfriend of eight years, scaffolding company heiress Shelley Jenkins, in a private ceremony at the town hall of the French resort of Bandol. Only two guests, one of them Wilkinson's mother, were present at the ceremony officiated by Bandol mayor Christian Palix. They are now expecting their first baby!
9. Matt Dawson - Carolin Hauskeller,
He is married to German-born former model, Carolin Hauskeller, and the couple have two sons, Alex and Sam.
1. Trevor Woodman - Unknown
2. Steve Thompson
He married wife Fiona after he proposed to her the morning after the World Cup final. He was later reported to have a French girlfriend named Esther during his time in France with Toulon.
3. Phil Vickery - Kate
Vickery is married to vet Kate and they have two children. She enjoys nothing more than walking her dog and feeding the ducks in the local pond.
4. Martin Johnson - Kay Johnson
5. Ben Kay - Virginia
In 2002 Kay married long-time girlfriend Virginia, a physiotherapist, and they have two children. His longtime Leicester Tigers and England teammate Martin Johnson was an usher at his wedding.
6. Richard Hill - Unknown
7. Neil Back - Alison Back
The legend keeps himself to himself but is still with his first wife Ali, who was in the crowd as England won the World Cup back in 2003. They have two children, Fin and Liv.
8. Lawrence Dallaglio
Former model and art student Alice has been with Lawrence for 23 years and they have three children. Their relationship was tested during the 2003 World Cup when Alice embarked on an affair with a friend of Lawrence's. However, they reconciled and got married in 2005.
TRENDING
LATEST NEWS
LATEST COMMENTS
Loading