Royal couple reunited after nightclub controversy

Zara Phillips and husband Mike Tindall have met for the first time since the rugby star was caught on CCTV kissing and hugging a woman in a bar.

The newlyweds were reunited yesterday at the New Zealand hotel where England’s Rugby World Cup squad is based.

Earlier, Tindall spoke for the first time since the controversy to deny suggestions the past week had been a difficult period for him. He insisted he had spent the past few days concentrating on training.

Wives and girlfriends of players have been allowed to stay in the same hotel as their partners by the England management.

Sources have played down Tindall’s encounter last week with the woman in a New Zealand nightclub, describing her as an “old friend” of the newlyweds. But the rugby star faced a barrage of questions about the incident during the press conference.

Asked if the last week had been difficult, he replied: “Not really, you just get on and train. You want to play every game and I was disappointed I didn’t get a run out last weekend.”

Tindall missed Sunday’s 41-10 victory over Georgia which, according to England manager Martin Johnson, was down to squad rotation. Tindall looked sheepish alongside Johnson during the press conference.

When Tindall was asked if he had anything to add or wanted to show some “contrition” Johnson jumped in. He said: “I said to you last week what happened, the guys went out and had a drink. We had that conversation last week.”

Ms Phillips and her husband only married at the end of July in Edinburgh in front of the Queen and the Royal Family, and had been apart for more than three weeks.

TONY JONES