Mike Tindall reveals what it's really like to join the Royal Family - as the Rugby World Cup hero dusts off his boots for surprise return to the pitch during Aussie getaway with his wife Zara

Daily Mail​

4 days ago

Rugby World Cup hero Mike Tindall has opened up on what it was like becoming a member of the Royal Family, as the former England superstar made his return to the footy pitch on Thursday night.
Tindall, who retired back in 2014, starred in the British and Irish Lions Legends Match, as a group of home nations icons took on a Classic Wallabies XV at the AAMI Stadium in Melbourne.
It was a hugely entertaining game that hilariously also saw Scotland legend Ryan Wilson dump-tackle the Lions' mascot prior to kick-off.
Several big names from the world of rugby lined up on both sides, with Andy Powell, Tom May and Alex Cuthbert all starting for the Lions.
But it was the Wallabies who would claim the bragging rights, with their star-studded backline - that featured Australian legends including Matt Giteau, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Drew Mitchell - spurring the hosts on to a 41-31 victory.
Tindall, meanwhile, has been touring around Australia over the past month alongside his wife Zara.
The pair, who were married back in 2011 at Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh, have been enjoying some rest and relaxation while Down Under, notably spending a couple of days last week on Hamilton Island, which is situated just off the Queensland coast.
They have shared a few snaps from their trip to the island on Instagram, with the pair being seen embracing while standing on a yacht in front of the stunning clear blue water that surrounds the island.
'It's our first time being out on the water in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park too and it really was unreal,' Tindall wrote on Instagram.
'Queensland definitely has it all. Made some incredible memories. What an unforgettable way to spend some downtime.'
Zara, an Olympic equestrian superstar, is the daughter of Princess Anne and the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II. She won silver in Eventing at the 2012 Olympic Games, and was notably presented with her medal by her mother.
Earlier this month, the couple turned out to support Billy Slater's Queensland side during their State of Origin victory against New South Wales at the Accor Stadium.
Zara donned a Maroons scarf while Mike sported a Queensland hat as the pair were invited back into the dressing room to celebrate with the team and coach Slater, who they are known to be good friends with.
It comes as the former England centre also appeared in an interview with Sky Sports Golf presenter Wayne 'Radar' Riley on Wednesday. The pair took to the golf course as part of the Australian broadcaster's 'A Round with Radar' series, which is published on PING's YouTube channel.
A funny moment took place before the match as Scotland legend Ryan Wilson was seen dump-tackling the Lions mascot
As the pair made their way around the course, Radar quizzed Tindall on his life in sport and his marriage to Zara.
'As a family, they [the Royals] are sport-loving,' Tindall said when asked what it was like to be welcomed into the Royal Family.
'With Princess Anne being the patron of Scottish rugby now as well and the Prince and Princess of Wales being England patrons and Wales respectively, I was very fortunate that they knew a lot about rugby and had that sports side to it.'
'So you cruised into it there?' Radar replied.
'I wouldn't say I cruised into it...' Tindall responded. 'It's a journey you never plan for but they were just so good and so open.'
Zara has followed in the footsteps of her mother, who competed at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, by pursuing a career in equestrian sports. Alongside her Olympic achievements, the 44-year-old also won the Eventing World Championship in 2006 and was later voted BBC Sports Personality of the year, 35 years after her mother won the same accolade.
Radar then questioned the rugby union star on what it was like to be married to a fellow athlete.
'I think it's sort of something that has worked for us,' he replied. 'Especially, me being in a team sport and her being predominantly in an individual sport but has an element of a team when you get to the Olympics or a World Championships.
Mike explained that their lives in sport have 'helped us understand each other' and added that their different sporting disciplines have 'benefitted them'
Tindall enjoyed a glittering career in rugby union, making 108 appearances for Premiership sides Bath and 181 for Gloucester. He'd also go on to win 75 caps for England, but interestingly never played for the British and Irish Lions due to injuries.
He did, though, play against the Lions during their 2013 tour of Australia, coming off the bench for the Barbarians, during their warm-up match in Hong Kong.
He added: 'It helps us understand each other. You can recognise what framework we're in and understand people's routines and how to be supportive of each other at the right times.
'You know when to leave her alone because she's concentrating on cross country or whatever.
'Because her sport is very dangerous, ours is dangerous as well, but her sport is very dangerous.
'It's worked really well for us, just that understanding of each other and being able to plug gaps where some people might not understand what it's like to play professional sport. It has benefitted us to help us relax when things aren't going so well.'