MIKE TINDALL seems to have an ‘access all areas’ pass to any reality TV show on air at the moment so perhaps he can tempt rugby fan Sir Tom Jones to give his Minchinhampton RFC team-mate and captain Matt Austin a blind audition on The Voice.

Austin has led Minchinhampton to promotion from Gloucester Three this season with only a little help from celebrity team-mate ‘Tinds’ who turned out for his local team a couple of times earlier in the season.

While Minch players indulge in the usual post-match rugby singalongs, Austin is inclined to serenade his colleagues with his favourite operatic arias.

“It is certainly quiet in the dressing room when Matt sings,” said Minch publicity officer Simon Whittemore. “He has an excellent tenor voice and, of course, he sings in Italian.”

Gatcombe-based Tindall has been missing from the Minch line-up in recent weeks while appearing in two TV shows, winter sports-themed The Jump, in which he lost out in the final to Joey Essex, and ITV’s Bear Grylls: Mission Survive, in which he has been required to drink a pint of urine on camera.

Whittemore said: “If our cup runs go well we could still have six to eight games left, including our Presidents’ match which will be particularly poignant this season as we lost Graham Gregory last July and we have yet to formally announce his successor.

“Mike is obviously building his media career, it is where his future lies and he has a demanding schedule, but it would be great if he could play in that game.”

Minchinhampton secured promotion to Gloucester Two when their hosts Hardwicke and Quedgeley Harlequins could not raise a side against them on Saturday.

HQH turned up with just seven players and the game was officially awarded to Minch as an away walkover.

Minch lent the home side some players and a 13-a-side 40-minute friendly took place which turned out to be full of running and determination.

Minch have finished runners-up to champions Smiths Industries and the results speak for themselves, with all but two matches won – many by an impressive margin.

Credit goes to the whole squad who have participated this season, from the new young guns to the old stalwarts and those in between, as well as to the coaches Mike Crawford and Andy Naish.

Captain Austin congratulated his players but reminded them that the season was far from over. “I’m delighted to have the result which secures us promotion,” he said.

“The players have worked hard and played with spirit and belief all season. There’s real potential when we look ahead.”

Soon after Saturday’s result was confirmed Tindall tweeted: “In other news, congrats to @MinchRFC on winning promotion, Premiership here we come.”