Inspirational Vickery saves ‘back to basics’ England as the vultures circle

WORLD CUP hero Phil Vickery took England back to basics as they avoided the humiliation of a record eighth successive Test defeat, and then declared: “Sometimes you have to just dog it out.”

Vickery’s contribution matched his substantial 18-stone, 6ft 3in frame as the Wasps man-mountain helped England scale their mini Everest following a week from hell.

The world champions trailed 18-6 when he arrived to replace injured prop Andrew Sheridan, with vultures again beginning to circle above head coach Andy Robinson.