Mike Tindall – Player Profile
Michael James Tindall is an English rugby player, who plays as centre for Bath, Gloucester Rugby and the English national team under the English rugby union. He is also married to Princess Zara Phillips, the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II.
Mike Tindall, born in Otley, Leeds, went to high school at the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Wakefield. Like his father, he opted to choose rugby as a career choice. His rugby career started in 1997, where he played in the Rugby World Cup (RWC) 1997,
as part of the English squad. After the RWC, he replaced Jeremy Guscott as the centre for England’s team. His first ever official match was under the banner of Bath was against Ireland, in the Six Nations of the year 2000. Tindall helped Bath win an astounding
match by 50-18.
The 2003 season was very good for him as he played under the England banner in six out of the seven scheduled matches in the RWC 2003. He missed the semi-final as his replacement, Mike Catt, played much better under the predicted weather conditions. His
entry back into the Cup in the final match helped England achieve the RWC 2003 trophy against Australia. In the same year, Tindall’s role was pivotal in helping England win against all other teams in the Six Nations tournament. This win earned them 12 grand
slam victories against other participating nations. He further helped England score against Australia during a tour in 2003. Another positive aspect of the year 2003 was his meeting with future fiancé Zara Phillips, which took place during the RWC.
Tindall had the misfortune of missing the Six Nations in the years 2004 and 2005. In both years’ season, he was deemed unfit for the Six Nations due to injuries. However, his 2004 season was good as he got to appear in one of the team tours and was as a
result made vice-captain of the team by coach, Clive Woodward.
Furthermore, in 2005, when the time came to review his contract, the player decided against playing with Bath. After recovering from his injury, he became a player with Gloucester Rugby team, under a contract of three years. His first year with the Gloucester
Rugby was uneventful, as several problems occurred for the teams’ placement of Tindall and the other veteran centre’s of the team. He however did manage to play in the Guinness Premiership tournament of 2006 but only at the start of the season. His further
play into this cup was hindered by a leg injury.
This leg injury and subsequent recuperation prevented him from participating in the Six Nations and the RWC 2007. He managed to make it into the Guinness Premiership tournament 2007, but another injury prevented his participation in the whole of the Premiership
and thus the upcoming Six Nations 2008.
His name was put into the team for the Six Nations 2009. However, he did not play due to his clashes with the teams’ management. Nevertheless his contract was renewed for playing under the Gloucester Rugby until 2011. Another injury barred him from attending
much of the 2009 season. He was again called for the Six Nations 2010.
His performances of the 2009 and 2010 seasons gave him the right to participate in the Six Nations 2011. His achievements during his years at the Gloucester Rugby, earned him the seat of captaincy, when their veteran captain, Lewis Moody, was unable to play.
His new contract with the team has also made him eligible for RWC 2011.
The 62 times capped player, Mike Tindall has been seen with a consistent playing history, amidst several injuries but he is now in preparation for the RWC 2011 after his marriage to proncess Zara.
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