Twickenham corporate hospitality news: Six Nations woe for Phil Vickery

08/01/2010

Rugby fans enjoying a Six Nations corporate hospitality experience at Twickenham will not be able to see England stalwart Phil Vickery in action.

The combative prop forward, who became a firm favourite with England fans for his part in helping to win the 2003 Rugby World Cup, sat out the autumn internationals after undergoing neck surgery.

He was hoping to return to action in time to bolster England's Six Nations challenge, but his specialist has now told him he needs a further eight weeks of rest before he can even begin training.

As a result, Vickery will miss the whole Six Nations, at a time when England can ill afford to be without him, as Andrew Sheridan is still sidelined by a shoulder injury.

England supporters planning a corporate hospitality experience for the Six Nations opener against Wales at Twickenham on February 6th 2010, should see a stronger backline than they did in the autumn.

Centre Riki Flutey has recovered from a shoulder injury and stand-off Toby Flood is back in action following an Achilles problem, giving coach Martin Johnson additional creative options.