Who is Tom Voyce? Former England rugby player ‘swept away’ by Storm Darragh

Subscribe For Free Sports News Updates!

Subscribe For Free Sports News Updates!

Subscribe To Our Free Sports Newsletter Today!

I would like to receive emails regarding promotions, events, and news from The Independent. Please check out our privacy policy.

Tom Voyce, a former rugby union player for England and Wasps, is sadly thought to have passed away while attempting to drive across a river that had swollen due to flooding during Storm Darragh.

Northumbria Police reported that the 43-year-old man is thought to have entered the River Aln close to Alnwick in Northumberland. Although the car has been located, authorities have not yet found Voyce.

Authorities report that he was trying to drive across Abberwick Ford when the strong river current, elevated by the severe weather from Storm Darragh, carried his vehicle away. It's thought that he was swept away while trying to get to safety. Tragically, he has lost his life, and search efforts continued into Wednesday.

The rugby community has come together to support Voyce's family, sharing numerous heartfelt messages online that convey their sorrow and sympathy for the situation.

So, who is this well-known ex-winger? Here’s everything you should know:

Tom Voyce was born on January 5, 1981, in Truro, Cornwall. He started his rugby journey with Penryn RFC and Truro RFC, and at 16, he moved away from Cornwall to join Bath.

He progressed through the club's youth and reserve teams before making his first team debut at the age of 19 in 2000. Versatile in his position, he was effective both as a winger and a full back. Over three years with Bath, he made 55 appearances and scored 15 tries.

During this period, he caught the attention of England's selectors, initially proving his worth in the Under-21 team. He made his senior debut for England at the young age of 20 while on a tour in North America in 2001, supporting the team from the bench in their 48-19 victory against the USA in San Diego.

Voyce earned nine caps for the England rugby team from 2001 to 2006, scoring three tries in total. Notably, he scored two of those tries in his debut match against Samoa at Twickenham in 2005.

He participated in matches against New Zealand and Australia during the summer tour of 2004 and was chosen for every game in the 2006 Six Nations, alternating between starting and coming off the bench as the full back position shifted between him and Josh Lewsey. England ended up winning two and losing three games in that championship, finishing in fourth place in the standings for the second consecutive year.

That summer, he was chosen to join the team for a tour in Australia, but England suffered a crushing defeat, losing 34-3 to the Wallabies in the opening Test match in Sydney. Voyce faced intense criticism for his performance as a winger during the game. At just 25 years old, this would mark his last appearance on the international stage.

In a later interview, Voyce openly expressed, "It felt like one game destroyed all my hard work. I was dealing with a divorce that I kept to myself at the time. I was frustrated and struggling to understand what went wrong and what I truly wanted from the sport."

At the club level, things were looking up. After transferring from Bath to Wasps in 2003, he quickly became a key player on the first team.

He played a crucial role in helping Wasps secure the Premiership title at Twickenham during his first two years with the team. In the 2003-04 season, he scored 15 tries in 34 matches, contributing to their remarkable achievement of winning the Heineken Cup as well. It was an unforgettable season for the club.

The next year, he scored a try in the Premiership final, helping Wasps secure their third consecutive title by defeating Leicester Tigers. Additionally, in November 2004, he made history by scoring the fastest try in Premiership history. After picking up a loose ball right from the kick-off, Voyce dashed under the goalposts in just 9.63 seconds against Harlequins, breaking Martin Corry’s former record by 14 seconds.

In 2007, Voyce secured his second Heineken Cup with the Wasps, defeating Leicester 25-9 in an all-English championship match. He then went on to achieve his third Premiership title at the conclusion of the 2007-08 season.

After spending six years with Wasps, where he scored 43 tries in 124 games, he concluded his time there in 2009. He then returned to the southwest to join Gloucester, playing for them for three seasons, during which he helped the team win the Anglo-Welsh Cup in 2011.

In the 2012-13 season, he played his last year of professional rugby with London Welsh before stepping away from the game at 32 years old.

After retiring from his rugby career, he started a job in banking. Now, at only 43 years old, he is sadly feared to be dead after disappearing during Storm Darragh.