Zara scores with rugby ace

Zara Phillips seems to have a taste for the sporting type.

And he celebrated New Year with Zara at the home of her father, Captain Mark Phillips - an indication this may be more than a casual fling.

Friends of the 22-year-old Royal said they had a great time and 'sang, drank and danced the night away'.

They met during the Rugby World Cup in Australia and spent three days together after the All Blacks' last match against France.

Ralph, 26, called a press conference in New Zealand yesterday amid speculation about the romance.

He confirmed he spent the festive season with Zara, adding: 'I have been in England and I did see her.'

But the winger remained tight-lipped about their relationship.

'I don't want to discuss that,' he said. 'I really think that is private and it's my private life. The media interest is just a hassle.'

He said reports that Zara was to visit New Zealand were 'news to him'.

Ralph is Zara's latest sporting find - she spent a stormy two years with jockey Richard Johnson.

She was also linked with England rugby centre Mike Tindall, with whom she went drinking after the World Cup.