Help for Heroes

I haven't seen this picked up much yet by blogs, but it deserves wide coverage:

Twickenham Stadium will be hosting a challenge rugby union match featuring rugby stars from around the world aimed at raising over £1m for the Joint Services Rehabilitation Centre at Headley Court, Leatherhead, Surrey, which cares for armed services men and women injured in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The match, to be played at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday, September 20th will feature two teams, a Help for Heroes XV and an International Select XV who will play a challenge match at the home of English rugby. (Kick off time tbc).

Former England Captains, Phil de Glanville (ex-Bath Rugby) and Lawrence Dallaglio (ex-London Wasps) will act as Team Manager and Captain respectively for the Help 4 Heroes XV with Welsh Rugby legends, Ieuan Evans and Scott Gibbs filling the same roles for the International Select XV. The teams, which will be announced in due course, are expected to include a composite of players from the Guinness Premiership, National Division One, the Magners League, overseas stars and the armed forces.

Johah Lomu has just signed up, showing what a big man he is metaphorically as well as physically:

"As soon as I heard about the Help for Heroes cause and the game, I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of," he said, adding: "It will be great to team up with Scott Gibbs in the International Select XV back line and to have one more outing at Twickenham Stadium. There are some great names already signed up to this fixture and I'm really looking forward to being a part of it."

Martin Johnson will be playing. Irishman Eddie O'Sullivan has taken on a coaching role. I don't want to hint... I want to urge this strongly. This is something that should be picked up in the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand as well. Spread the word. We support our troops.