The Australian, a national newspaper from down-under, has claimed this week that Dan Vickerman will be playing for Sydney University this year. The report claims not only that Vickerman, a current Cambridge Blue and ex-Australian international second row, will be playing for his old club at the University but that there is a chance he might consider playing club or even international rugby again in the very near future.

When Vickerman flies home for the holidays there is no doubt that he will bump into his old rugby mates but there is a possibility that these pals, including Wallabies coach Robbie Deans, will be trying to convince the big man to return to his former international glory. The aussie article claims that the holiday period will give Deans a chance to “wine and dine” the rugby star and “try to persuade him face-to-face to defer his studies until after the World Cup.” Deans is also quoted saying “We are in constant dialogue” and that “I can tell you he is going to be back soon playing rugby at club level.”

The likelihood of Dan taking Deans up on such an offer seem slim, especially as the second row denied any intentions of playing for a professional club while at Cambridge and Deans himself even admitted that “At this point he [Vickerman] is committed to completing his studies. He is not in contention until such time he has concluded his studies or decides he wants to come back to have a crack."