Former England captain comes out of rugby retirement to referee local rugby
Today at 04:53 AM
You don't see this every weekend.
Competition: Get a Chance to Watch the Lions in Australia
Former England skipper and Bath Rugby legend Phil de Glanville was spotted back in the thick of the action — not as a player, but with whistle in hand, refereeing a club rugby match.
The 38-cap centre, who captained England between 1996 and 1997, played a key role in the 1995 Rugby World Cup and was a core part of Bath’s golden era. Known for his silky hands and sharp rugby brain, de Glanville looked right at home back on the field.
And it wasn't just the refereeing that caught attention — he was rocking an old-school Bath jersey, too.
Grassroots side Old Sulians RFC shared the moment on X (formerly Twitter), posting:
"Not only is former England captain Phil De Glanville reffing us today, he's wearing an old-school Bath jersey. Love it."
Since hanging up his boots, de Glanville has made waves off the pitch in business and sports governance — but clearly, the love for rugby never fades.
Once a rugby man, always a rugby man.
Join the RUCK's WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
EDITORS PICKS:
- Statement: Women's Six Nations match postponed
- England confirms they've ditched Umbro for new kit supplier
- Celebrity Traitors full line-up revealed with Joe Marler confirmed
- Ben Youngs out, Lions icon in? Leicester line up stunning scrum-half swap
- Ben Youngs confirms retirement, takes on coaching role
Three England Stars Who Could Lose Their Central Contracts
Last October, England handed out 17 enhanced Elite Player Squad (EPS) contracts as part of the shiny new Professional Game Partnership deal.
It gave head coach Steve Borthwick more control than ever, including the final word on all sports science and medical matters.
Among the big winners were George Ford, Marcus Smith and Fin Smith – all three fly-halves receiving upgraded deals ahead of the autumn internationals.
But fast forward six months, and not all those golden ticket holders are sitting pretty. We take a look at three players who could be on the chopping block ahead of the next round of central contract decisions.
#1. Henry Slade – The Class Act Losing His Place
Slade's silky style has long made him a favourite with fans – but his Six Nations was anything but smooth. Once pencilled in as a midfield maestro, he now finds himself completely out of Borthwick's 23.
His combination with Ollie Lawrence never quite clicked, and although there were flickers of promise, it wasn’t enough to convince the coaches. Slade was ultimately cast aside in favour of Fraser Dingwall, and now his England future – and his central contract – looks seriously uncertain.
Possible replacement: Fraser Dingwall
The mid-Six Nations switch that saw him take Slade’s place has given Dingwall a solid opportunity to make a real push for a long-term role in the squad. A gritty and intelligent player, he's an ideal fit in the centre and could continue his rise with consistent performances.
CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO
The post Former England captain comes out of rugby retirement to referee local rugby appeared first on Ruck.
