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I'd love it to be a draw - Vickery torn over Premiership final
By Christopher Devine
Former England prop Phil Vickery wishes there could be a way for both clubs competing in Saturday's Premiership Rugby final to taste victory at Twickenham.
A two-time tourist with the British and Irish Lions, Vickery spent the last four years of his playing career with Wasps and helped the club to Heineken Cup and Premiership titles.
Yet the 41-year-old also holds great fondness for Exeter, the only top-flight club to hail from his home county of Devon.
The Chiefs have enjoyed a remarkable rise in recent years, with their move to Sandy Park in 2006 followed by promotion to the Premiership four years later and continued progression ever since.
Exeter were runners-up to Saracens in last season's domestic showpiece and now have the chance to go one better, having beaten the European champions in a dramatic semi-final.
Looking ahead to this weekend's title decider, Vickery told Omnisport: "Of course I want to see Exeter do well. As a youngster growing up, the thought of having Premiership rugby at Exeter, which was a 50-minute drive for me, would have been amazing.
"Their spirit, the passion the play with, the way they've done it, championing the West Country – the whole thing has just been brilliant.
"My heart is with them, of course, but then they're playing against my old club in Wasps. And, you know, once a Wasp, always a Wasp.
"I was only there for four years, but that club did an awful lot for me. [There are] some incredible people and they dragged an old man really, and gave him a bit of belief and love, with a great man, Ian McGeechan, in charge and the lunatic that is Shaun Edwards – one of the greatest coaches I've ever worked with.
"The people of Wasps, the people of the club, the way they embraced me and brought me in, I will always be indebted to them. It's just a wonderful rugby club.
"I'd love to tell you who I want to win. I'd love it to be a draw, maybe! I just hope that both teams give a good account of themselves."
Phil Vickery was talking at an ‘Ingredients for Success' event for Robert Walters, a specialist professional recruitment firm and official sponsor of The British & Irish Lions. They have recently recruited the Ultimate Lions Fan, view the video @RobertWaltersPR.
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Latest Comments
Paddy T is playing the best footy of his career off the bench, and he’s a leader.
Straight swap: Paddy in for Scott, Scott to the bench.
But I’m loving Tuipolotu as an impact sub.
Go to commentsWhats that team then? Are Clarke or Tele'a likely to come back? Proctor didn't return to the squad did he?
I'd like see the young fullbacks play fullback, and so Jordan cover on the wing instead. Even seeing Reiks on the other wing would be cool, Reece can go back on the bench if theres even room for him there.
So preferably it would be ALB and second five where he came of the bench in the weekend and was great. He's a bit slow on the play for outside center but looks like he might need to play there if we need wingers.
Cane really sounds like he'll bit fit, is he going to want to play? I'd really like to see Kirifi earn a cap if Lakai was the only 7 (Ardie has to be all used up/finished for the year). Which young lock are we going to see come in?
No team lists here, that's kid games...
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