Michael Gordon Skinner (born ), also known as Mickey, Mick, and Mike, is a former

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

rugby union Rugby union, commonly known simply as rugby, is a close-contact team sport that originated at Rugby School in the first half of the 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand. In it ...

player who played at flanker for Harlequins, Blackheath and . His nickname was "Mick the Munch" because of his propensity to inflict bone-shaking tackles on the opposition. He was born in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. He attended Walbottle Grammar School.

Career

Skinner is world-renowned for "The Tackle", his hit on Marc Cecillon in England's

1991 Rugby World Cup The 1991 Rugby World Cup was the second edition of the Rugby World Cup, and was jointly hosted by England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and France: at the time, the five European countries who participated in the Five Nations Championship. This was ...

quarterfinal against in Paris. The match, which England won 19–10, was one of the most brutal in World Cup history.Brendan Gallagher: "When Mick Skinner took the wind out of France."
''The Daily Telegraph'' online, 9:28am BST 10 October 2007. Retrieved 13 October 2007. Prior to making his England debut Skinner was required as a late addition to the England squad for the inaugural

World Cup A world cup is a global sporting competition in which the participant entities – usually international teams or individuals representing their countries – compete for the title of world champion. The event most associated with the concept i ...

in 1987. The R.F.U. however could not locate him which prompted an appeal from Desmond Lynam live on the BBC's Grandstand programme for Skinner to get in touch as his services were required. During his career Skinner won a total of 21 caps for England. He made his England debut on 16 January 1988 in England's 10–9 defeat to France in Paris during the Five Nations. His final game for England was on 7 March 1992 against at

Twickenham Twickenham is a suburban district in London, England. It is situated on the River Thames southwest of Charing Cross. Historically part of Middlesex, it has formed part of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames since 1965, and the boroug ...

as part of the Five Nations tournament. In 1994, Skinner helped unveil the commemorative plaque to mark the founding of the Blackheath Football Club (Rugby) in 1858.

Retirement

Since leaving the game, Skinner has worked as a media pundit and became famous amongst fans for his interesting choices of waistcoat. He also featured in a video in which he introduces some of rugby's best tackles. He is an active supporter of

Wooden Spoon Wooden Spoon may refer to: * Wooden spoon, implement * Wooden spoon (award) A wooden spoon is an award that is given to an individual or team that has come last in a competition. Examples range from the academic to sporting and more frivolous e ...

charity.

Personal life

He has a daughter, Emily Skinner, who was born on 4 July 1995. He also has three sons: Max, and

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and Barnie who are twins.

References

1958 births Living people English rugby union players England international rugby union players Harlequin F.C. players Rugby union players from Newcastle upon Tyne Rugby union flankers Kent County RFU players {{England-rugbyunion-bio-stub