British Royal Family

Zara Phillips’ fiancé postponing honeymoon to play rugby?

Zara Phillips' fiancé postponing honeymoon to play rugby?

Zara Phillips’ fiancé Mike Tindall is considering postponing his honeymoon so he can play rugby.

Mike, 32, is captain of the England rugby team. He was injured in a Six Nations game on the weekend, but is eager to get back on the field as soon as possible.

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Mike is due to marry the Queen’s eldest granddaughter, Zara, in Edinburgh, Scotland, on July 30, but is so devoted to his sport he has reportedly told the England team’s manager Martin Johnson he is willing to play a game just days after the ceremony.

Johnson said he had asked Mike whether he would be able to play a Rugby World Cup warm-up game against Wales on August 6 and Mike eagerly agreed.

“He spoke to me and said he is getting married at the end of July,” Johnson told the UK’s Daily Mail. “I said it is a week before the first game and he said, ‘Right, I’m available’. We will have further conversations. There is a lot to play out between now and then.”

If Mike does play in the game, he and Zara will potentially have to delay their honeymoon until the end of September when the World Cup ends.

Zara’s mother, Princess Anne, is likely to be unimpressed by this news. While she is said to be very fond of Mike, she is not a fan of his choice of sport, particularly the way it has affected his appearance.

Related: Zara Phillips announces engagement to Mike Tindall

Mike has had his nose broken eight times in his 12-year playing career and the Princess Royal has reportedly asked him to have his nose straightened before he marries her daughter.

“Princess Anne asked me if I’d have the surgery,” Mike reportedly told the UK’s News of the World newspaper. “She’s a bit worried about how the wedding photos might turn out!”

Mike said he was unlikely to undergo the procedure.

Your say: Would you be upset if your new husband postponed your honeymoon so he could play sport?

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