Mike Tindall has reportedly struck up plans for what has been described as a “break-away” project, but it’s been claimed he could well be in for a “Royal earbashing” as a result
It’s been claimed that Mike Tindall risks an “earbashing” from the Royal Family’s “big beasts”
(Image: Getty Images)
Mike Tindall risks an “earbashing” from the Royal Family’s “big beasts” over a project that’s come up against some resistance from “traditionalists”, it has been claimed. As a former professional rugby player, Mike, who played for Bath and Gloucester and achieved 75 caps for the national team, has reportedly struck up plans for what has been described as a “break-away” rugby union franchise.
Mike’s project, R360, is set to be a global rugby league with 12 franchises (comprising eight men’s and four women’s teams). R360, according to the online rugby publication Ruck, promises to be a “Grand Prix-style format” held in cities worldwide.
Yet, the Mail’s Ephraim Hardcastle suggests that with these ambitions, Mike risks stepping on the toes of his famous extended family, and not just anyone, but the Firm’s “big beasts”
Indeed, Ephraim even claims he could be in for a “Royal earbashing” and may incur the wrath of his wife Zara Tindall’s mother, Anne, Princess Royal, who “only a fool would bet against”.
Mike has reportedly struck up plans for a “break-away” rugby union franchise
(Image: Getty Images)
He wrote: “Princess Anne’s son-in-law, Mike Tindall, risks a Royal earbashing over his plan for R360, a break-away global rugby union franchise. It is opposed by national unions and rugby traditionalists.
“They are threatening to ban players who sign potentially lucrative contracts from playing for their countries. Tindall, who earned 75 caps for England, is also taking on family big beasts who represent the status quo.
“William is patron of the Welsh Rugby Union and Kate holds the role in England. He also risks the wrath of Princess Anne, long-time patron of the Scottish Rugby Union. In a ruck between the two, only a fool would bet against Anne…”
In another royal rugby revelation, back in May, reports emerged that Zara had admitted to using a clandestine method to convince Mike to address a health issue that was impacting his breathing.
Zara, who disclosed the information at the London Sporting Club lunch, said she took action while Mike was sleeping.
It’s also been suggested that Mike may incur the wrath of Princess Anne
(Image: Getty Images)
Mike has broken his nose at least eight times during his rugby career, resulting in it losing its shape. Yet, his nose would also lead to a health issue, with Mike previously confessing that he was struggling to breathe due to these injuries.
However, Mike would take some convincing to fix the problem. Zara told the Mail: “When he was playing, there was no point in doing it. But when I started to film him at night when he was sleeping and stopping breathing, I was like, “You see where I am coming from now?'”
She added: “I am a really deep sleeper and I normally get to sleep before him. It is fixed now, better than what it was.”
Meanwhile, in further evidence that he wasn’t keen on the idea of having surgery, he revealed on A League of Their Own that Princess Anne was concerned enough about his nose to request that he have surgery before he married her daughter.
He turned down the request at the time, but he later had plastic surgery for his health.