Who is Tom Voyce? Everything you need to know about ex-England rugby international star after he went missing in Storm Daragh floods

Former England rugby union international Tom Voyce is feared dead after his car was swept away trying to cross a river ford.

Northumbria Police believe the 43-year-old attempted the crossing over the River Aln near Alnwick, Northumberland, before his car was swept away with the current.

Police launched a search for the former England wing after it received a report on Sunday morning that had not returned to his home following an evening with friends.

Officers have since recovered the car, but Mr Voyce, who has been missing since Saturday, is yet to be found. 

A force spokesperson said: ‘At this time, it is suspected Tom has attempted to cross Abberwick Ford in his car, which has then been pulled along with the current of the river.

‘Officers have since recovered his car, but sadly Tom is yet to be found. It is believed in his attempts to escape he has been swept away and tragically died.’

Former England rugby international Tom Voyce is believed to have died crossing the River Aln

Where was Tom Voyce from?

Tom Voyce was born in Truro, Cornwall and went on to be educated at Penair School in Truro.

Voyce continued his education at King’s College in Taunton.

Outside of rugby he is an ambassador of the Wooden Spoon Society, a children’s charity. 

It supports children and young people with disabilities or living in disadvantage in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

What position did Tom Voyce play?

During his 13-year career span Voyce played both wing and fullback for his various clubs.

The former England international was known for his fast pace and excelled on either wing.

He was an exceptional open field player, possessing bolstering pace with deceiving strength. 

Who did Tom Voyce play for?

Tom Voyce helped Wasps win their third consecutive Premiership title with a try during the 2005 Premiership final

Tom Voyce and Danny Cipriani pose with the trophy after winning the Guinness Premiership Final in 2008

After a successful spell with Wasps, Voyce joined Gloucester where he spent three years

Tom Voyce started his playing career with Bath Rugby working his way up through the lower sides before debuting for their Premiership team.

While at Bath he became an established member of the England under-21 side and in 2001 he made his senior England debut against the USA – his first of nine.

In 2003 after 55 appearances with Bath, Voyce would go on to join London Wasps, where he would play the majority of his senior club rugby.

During the 2004 season he set the record for the quickest try ever scored as he he gathered a loose ball from kick off and crossed by the posts in 9.63 against Harlequins.

He also scored a try in the 2005 Premiership rugby final, helping Wasps secure their third consecutive title.

It is here that he became an established member of the England team having been selected for each of England’s Six Nations matches during the 2006 tournament.

Voyce came off the bench in England’s opening tie, scoring in the process before starting in the second match.

He made a further start for England in the 2006 Six Nations this time against Ireland as England sputtered throughout the tournament.

Voyce  played nine times for England, scoring 15 points in the process

His final England cap came against Australia in Sydney, in a performance he admitted himself was quite poor, Voyce’s international career ended with nine caps and 15 points.

In March 2009 it was announced that Voyce would join Gloucester, where he spent three years.

His final stop in his career was London Welsh who he joined in April 2012, with Voyce announcing his retirement from all forms of Rugby in May 2013. 

Voyce is married to Anna Voyce (née Wood), the couple tied the knot back in September 2015

Is Tom Voyce married?

Voyce is married to Anna Voyce (née Wood), the couple tied the knot back in September 2015. 

The couple who first revealed their relationship the year prior got married at Babington House, a Georgian manor located in the heart of Somerset in South West England.    

Anna is an entrepreneur and the founder of OSSKI home, an online homeware store which she launched in August 2021 after she left the sporting industry following a 16-year-long career.

They welcomed the birth of their first and only child, a son back in 2018.