Mike Tindall's bid to topple cricket icon's drinking record on UK-Australia flight fell short

Monday, 23 June 2025 at 18:33

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byRugby Rucker

As The Good, The Bad and The Rugby gears up for a run of live shows in Australia during the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour, a throwback from the archives has surfaced that reminds us exactly why fans love him.

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According to an old Daily Mirror report, the former England centre came “astonishingly close” to breaking a drinking record so iconic it borders on folklore.

That record? 54 cans of lager. Set by Aussie cricket legend David Boon on a long-haul flight from Australia to the UK.

Tindall, fresh off the back of England’s 2003 Rugby World Cup triumph, apparently downed “close to 50” tins himself on the return leg. That’s not a typo. Fifty.

While he didn’t quite top Boon’s tally, it’s unclear if he matched the cricketer’s legendary landing – it’s said Boon “walked straight as a die” across Heathrow tarmac. We’re picturing Tinds maybe... not quite that steady?

But the laughs don’t stop there.

Mike also confirmed a long-whispered rumour involving his mother-in-law, Princess Anne. Apparently, she once jokingly suggested he get his famously broken nose fixed before the royal wedding snaps.

“Yeah, it’s true,” Tindall said, brushing it off. “It was a light-hearted, jokey comment. It wasn’t a big deal – and, look at my nose, can you blame her?”

Iconic.

As for honeymoon plans back then? Classic Tindall response:
“We’ll have plenty of time for honeymoons when we’re both retired.”

Safe to say, whether it’s lifting a World Cup, raising a can mid-air, or holding court on the podcast, Mike Tindall is rugby gold.

10 Lions Changes Andy Farrell Must Make against Western Force

1. Dan Sheehan in for Luke Cowan-Dickie
Cowan-Dickie brought energy but faltered at the lineout. Sheehan’s throwing is sharper, and he adds mobility and form from Leinster.

2. Will Stuart in for Finlay Bealham
Bealham was solid, but Stuart offers more raw power and set-piece dominance — key against the Force pack.

3. Ollie Chessum in for Tadhg Beirne
Beirne impressed with his running lines, but Chessum brings more physicality and aerial prowess — crucial for disrupting the Force’s lineout.

4. Josh van der Flier in for Tom Curry
Despite Curry's work-rate, Van der Flier’s breakdown work and consistency make him a better fit as Farrell looks to steady the back row.

5. Jack Conan in for Ben Earl
Earl was one of the better performers, but Conan’s control at No.8 and ability to carry in tight channels earns him the nod.

6. Jamison Gibson-Park in for Alex Mitchell
Mitchell looked rushed and ineffective after halftime. Gibson-Park’s speed and composure offer a much-needed upgrade at scrum-half.

7. Finn Russell in for Fin Smith
Fin Smith struggled to impose himself. Enter Russell — the magician Farrell needs to inject some vision, control, and attacking flair.

8. Huw Jones in for Bundee Aki
Aki’s power was evident but faded. Jones brings better distribution and defensive organisation at outside centre, linking nicely with Tuipulotu.

9. James Lowe in for Duhan van der Merwe
Van der Merwe had a patchy outing, and Lowe’s left boot and creativity could unlock the Force’s defence from deep.

10. Hugo Keenan in for Marcus Smith
Smith’s shaky positioning and lack of control under the high ball cost the Lions. Keenan is calm, composed and positionally solid — exactly what the back three needs.

Farrell's Updated XV to Face Western Force

15. Hugo Keenan
14. James Lowe
13. Huw Jones
12. Sione Tuipulotu
11. Tommy Freeman
10. Finn Russell
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
8. Jack Conan
7. Jac Morgan
6. Josh van der Flier
5. Ollie Chessum
4. Maro Itoje
3. Will Stuart
2. Dan Sheehan
1. Ellis Genge