A FORMER England Rugby World Cup champion looks totally unrecognisable after competing as a BODYBUILDER.
Gone is the belly he sported in his playing days, with the former British and Irish Lion debuting in a bodybuilding competition last weekend.
The former bulldozing Gloucester prop played all seven games for England as they won the 2003 World Cup over hosts Australia.
And the 48-year-old was knocking on the door of 20 stone at his heaviest during his ball carrying and scrummaging days.
But the rugby ace sports a very different look these days – with his brute strength replaced by ripped abs and bulging muscles.
His bodybuilder pal took to Instagram with a series of recent snaps showing the former England captain competing in Milton Keynes.
The post read: “From Rugby World Cup winner and British lion to bodybuilder . Set a goal and have endless work ethic. Sir well done proud of you.”
The rugby champ is none other than Phil Vickery.
The former Gloucester and Wasps front row was wearing a medal as he showed off his ripped torso and huge biceps, with veins practically popping out of his arms.
Vickery replied to the Instagram post with: “Thank you and I appreciate you making the effort to come and support me. Good luck with your show this weekend .”
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Vickery had been inspired to get himself in shape ahead of the 20th anniversary of England’s World Cup win.
He posted in May: “It’s been an interesting journey full of highs and lows but I have loved the process. But more importantly the people who have helped along the way.
“To those that have helped me with positive energy and smiles and thumbs up at 5 o’clock in the morning doing cardio in the freezing cold.”
He was forced to retire from rugby in 2010 after a series of neck injuries and was inducted into the Premiership Hall of Fame in 2015.
Vickery’s incredible body transformation comes more than a decade after the rugby star won Celebrity Masterchef in 2011.
After that success, he moved into the restaurant trade, founding ‘No.3’ in Cheltenham.
The venue – which referenced his former shirt number – proved popular, moving to a larger premises in the town last summer.
However, it was forced to close in January 2024 due to soaring costs.
