England Rugby World Cup winner, 48, looks unrecognisable as a BODYBUILDER as he competes in tournament

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.