Phil Vickery MBE (born 14 March 1976) is an English rugby union footballer who plays prop for Gloucester and England, and was part of the England side that won the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

The son of a farmer, Vickery was born in Barnstaple, Devon. Working on his father's cattle farm, he developed strength and became qualified as an artificial inseminator. Vickery is 6 ft 3 in (1.90 m) and weights 18 st 5 lb (117 kg).

Playing for Gloucester, he became known as "The Raging Bull",

Vickery made his England debut as a 21-year old against Wales on 21 February 1998, replacing Darren Garforth.

Vickery toured Australia with the British and Irish Lions in 2001 and played in all three tests.

Vickery was appointed captain of the England squad that toured Argentina in 2002. With many of the top players rested, Vickery led his side to victory against The Pumas in Buenos Aires.

Vickery missed the 2003 Six Nations tournament because of a back injury, but returned to play an important role in England's 2003 World Cup winning side. He was then injured again and replaced by Julian White, who kept his place after Vickery's return from injury.

External links

• Planet-rugby
• sporting heroes 1
• sporting heroes 2