HEROES RUGBY CHALLENGE - All Blacks and Italy coaches set to boost southern team for Twickenham charity clash

Wayne Smith and Nick Mallett will be helping coach a Southern Hemisphere team against the North for the Heroes Rugby Challenge at Twickenham on Saturday December 3.

New Zealand backs coach Smith and Italy coach Mallett have agreed to help a side managed by World Cup winners Sean Fitzpatrick and Michael Lynagh.

The Challenge will be looking to exceed the £1.46m raised in the last North v South clash in 2008.

Over 52,000 saw that match in aid of Help for Heroes, a charity which provides practical support for wounded servicemen and women.

The southern team will be managed by England World Cup winners Jason Leonard and Lawrence Dallaglio, as well as Wales legend Ieuan Evans.

Clearly excited by Smith and Mallett’s involvement, Lynagh said: “They have both texted to say they want to be involved.

“It will be after the World Cup, there are no Autumn Internationals, and this will be a great chance to see some of the best players in the world playing to raise money for a very worthy cause.

“Rugby will come together and make a difference to people’s lives and as the armed forces are engrained in the history of rugby, the generosity of the British will again shine through.”

The teams will be selected from the world’s top stars as well as the best players from the armed forces.

And they won’t be there just to make up the numbers as Fitzpatrick pointed out: “When I toured here with the All Blacks we always played a Combined Services team. They made life tough for us on the pitch and even tougher afterwards!”

He added: “Seeing what the services are going through, I jumped at the chance of helping them. I know southern hemisphere players will want to be involved and some of the money raised will be going to soldiers hurt in Australia and New Zealand.”

Lynagh insisted it would be a “competitive match” matching sides of equal strength, and is looking forward to a spectacle that matches the game three years ago.

Leonard said: “I am proud to be part of this. It’s a fantastic charity and with the players I have in mind we can create a real occasion.”

“The aim of the Heroes Rugby Challenge is simple - to pack out Twickenham Stadium and raise more than £1 million for Help for Heroes in the process. To achieve this, we need the public to really get behind this game and show their support by buying a ticket and encouraging everyone they know to do the same.”

England World Cup winner Will Greenwood is hoping to play in the match, having scored a try in the 2008 game and is helping in the initial stages of team management.

Jeff Blackett, Chairman of the Heroes Rugby Challenge, said: “This is an opportunity for rugby fans to come together and show their support for the brave servicemen and women who serve our country in areas of conflict.

“Life-changing injuries are an inevitable, but very sad, fact of war and it is essential that those who are hurt are given the best possible care and rehabilitation. Every penny raised from the Heroes Rugby Challenge will help provide even better facilities and care for injured troops.”

Roger Thompson, head of lead match sponsors J.P. Morgan Asset Management, added: “We are very proud to be supporting the Heroes Rugby Challenge and helping raise money for Help for Heroes.”

About the match

The Heroes Rugby Challenge is on Saturday 3 December 2011 at Twickenham Stadium (4.30pm).

Ticket prices start at £30 for adults, £10 for under 16s, and are available through Ticketmaster www.ticketmaster.co.uk or by calling 0844 847 2492.

About Heroes Rugby Challenge

It is supported by lead sponsor by J.P. Morgan and medal sponsor Energizer UK.
It will be broadcast live and exclusively on Sky Sports HD.
None of the players will be paid to participate.
Squad announcements and updates will be made in the lead up to Saturday 3 December.
Rugby fans can show their support for the Heroes Rugby Challenge by visiting the Facebook page www.facebook.com/heroesrugby or receive updates via Twitter www.twitter.com/heroesrugby

About Help for Heroes

H4H has raised over £105m since its launch in October 2007.
All the funds raised to date are either allocated or spent on the direct, practical support of those wounded in the line of duty. To date, H4H has funded a variety of projects including the £8m Rehabilitation Complex at Headley Court, a new £3.5m treatment centre for Combat Stress, adaptive adventure training through the Battle Back programme and the creation of a £6m Quick Reaction Fund to support individuals in need.
In February 2010, H4H announced its key role in the creation of five regional Personnel Recovery Centres (PRCs), which provide, in partnership with the MOD and The Royal British Legion and other Service charities, ongoing training and support for the wounded after Headley Court. Locations of the PRCs include Edinburgh, Colchester, Catterick, Tidworth and Plymouth.
Help for Heroes works closely with the Army, Navy and RAF, along with other services charities, to provide support where it is most needed.