AN East Lancashire rugby ace will today take on one of the most nerve-racking jobs at the second Royal wedding of the year.

Rugby fullback Iain Balshaw is the best man for his former team-mate Mike Tindall’s wedding to the Princess Royal’s daughter Zara Phillips.

Little information has been released ahead of the event, which comes soon after the marriage of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in April.

The Queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips and England rugby star Mr Tindall will tie the knot at the city's Canongate Kirk.

The nearby Palace of Holyroodhouse, the monarch's official Scottish home, is the venue for the wedding reception and likely to stage the evening dinner Mr Balshaw will be giving the speech.

Mr Balshaw, 31, a former Stonyhurst College pupil, was part of the England’s rugby World Cup-winning squad with Mike.

But it is thought the speech may have been scrutinised by Buckingham Palace before it is given.

England captain Tindall popped the question to 29-year-old Zara just before Christmas at their Cheltenham home.

Mr Tindall was best man at Blackburn-born Iain’s wedding to Kate Davies in 2009.