Inspired by Cornwall - Phil Vickery

Vickery won 73 caps for England and went on two tours with the Lions

By Ross Ellis
BBC Radio Cornwall

After running out for England 73 times, winning the World Cup in 2003 and captaining his country at the tournament four years later, few can argue with the credentials of Phil Vickery as a true rugby legend.

The 34-year-old's introduction to the game was a little more sedate.

Born in Barnstaple, he was raised on a farm and attended school in the Cornish town of Bude, where he got his first taste of rugby.

"Arriving at Bude Rugby Club and seeing the guys, I had a real laugh and thought I want to be part of that," Vickery told BBC Radio Cornwall.

"I enjoyed the rugby experience and the blood, sweat and tears that went with it."

Vickery's talent was spotted from an early age and he was called up to the England schools team at the age of 16.

Steve Cowlin, a trustee of Bude Rugby Club was in awe of the young man's talent.

Cowlin said: "Phil was destined for great things and was head and shoulders above anyone else.

"He's donated a lot to our club. There's some very lucky young players walking around with Phil Vickery shirts on - he's still well respected down here."

After impressing at Bude, Vickery's next move was to Redruth.

"It was a big step," said the former England captain. "The way everyone at Redruth accepted me and welcomed me to the club was fantastic. That obviously led to the move to Gloucester and the rest is history."

Vickery joined Glouceseter in 1995 and worked on a local farm until the sport turned professional. He developed into a solid prop and went on to make 145 appearances for Gloucester over 11 seasons.

"I wasn't particularly happy to leave home to be honest," he revealed. "But I managed to sit it out and I am certainly glad I did."

606: DEBATE

I for one wish him a happy retirement and hopes he continues to be successful

On 21 February 1998, the 21-year-old Cornishman was awarded his first England cap against Wales in the then Five Nations.

In the summer of that year he took part in the "Tour from Hell" where England were beaten by Australia, South Africa and twice by New Zealand.

"It was a fantastic experience as a young man. Going to the Southern Hemisphere it was hard, hard rugby. We [England] accepted we weren't that good and needed to get better."

Improve England did, and in 2003, both the team and Vickery really came of age.

The "Raging Bull" played in every game of the World Cup in Australia, but the significance of winning only dawned on him upon returning home.

"Going to meet the Queen at Buckingham Palace and being invited to Number 10 was very special.

Archive - Vickery bulldozes over for England

"People still come up to me to this day and tell me where they were watching the final and what they were doing -that's a privilege."

But despite holding aloft rugby's biggest prize and running out at Twickenham for the last 12 years, Vickery says there's one occasion which will always remain close to his heart.

"One of my greatest rugby memories is the County Championship final in 1991.

"Going to Twickenham with 40,000 'black and gold' supporters was a truly wonderful experience and I often think about it today."