This is Gloucestershire reports that rugby star Mike Tindall could propose to Zara Phillips after the 2012 Olympics – as long as she wins a gold medal!

The Queen’s granddaughter and world champion eventer has set her sights on Olympic gold in London in three years time. And if she does won the coveted medal then Mike has said he’ll pop the question.

The news was revealed by former England rugby player Will Greenwood. Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Will says it was Mike who was talking passionately about horses rather than Zara.

“I am surprised when he talks of ‘flying changes’, ‘rein backs’, the four-star horses, and the promise that an Olympic gold medal might, if she’s lucky, be exchanged for a wedding ring”, he says.

Together since 2003, The Telegraph reports that Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall are ready to ‘formalise’ their union…

“I don’t think it is about whether we will get married, but when,” says the England rugby player, who met the granddaughter of the Queen in 2003. “There is no doubt that I love Zara, but it has to be the right time.

“She is so busy competing and I am touring. We often don’t even manage to get away on holiday together. And, yes, it probably would be a white wedding, although sometimes I can see the attraction of sneaking away without telling anyone.”

A friend of the couple’s tells this week’s Hello! magazine;

“He is very good with the children and enjoys all the rough and tumble… Zara is brilliant with the children. She would come over for a coffee sometimes and play with the children. They adore her…”