International sports stars to appear in special charity game
Rugby World Cup winners Ben Cohen, Jason Robinson and Mike Catt will line up alongside a host of Northamptonshire sporting legends at Sixfields this Sunday for the inaugural Leon Barwell Foundation Trophy.
The trio, who helped England defeat Australia 20-17 to lift the World Cup in November 2003, will join fellow world champion Matt Dawson in the squad for the game, which will kick-off at the home of the Cobblers at 3pm.
Former Saints and four-time British and Irish Lions Head Coach Sir Ian McGeechan will also appear, having agreed to be guest manager of one of the sides, in a move that will see him face-off against ex-Cobblers boss Ian Atkins.
A whole host of further icons have pledged their support to the Foundation by joining the squad for Sunday’s event, including Tim Rodber – the former Saints captain who guided the club to their historic Heineken Cup triumph in 2000 – and Franklin’s Gardens player-turned-physiotherapist Phil Pask, who is now physio to the England team.
Ex-Northampton Town players Martin Smith, Jason Crowe, Andy Holt, Ian Sampson, Ray Warburton,Chris Willmott, Craig Hinton and Kevin Wilson will also return to Sixfields, while former Northants cricketers Allan Lamb, Nigel Felton, Devon Malcolm, Tony Penberthy, Ben Canham and Jeremy Snape will feature too.
The sporting stars will be joined on the pitch by Henry and Ben Barwell, sons of former Saints Chairman Leon, as well as auction winners who have donated to the charity in return for a place on the teamsheet.
It is hoped the game will raise thousands for the Foundation, which has been set up by the Barwell family in memory of Leon, who died following a battle with cancer in June 2013, aged 46.
In the months leading up to his passing, Leon was able to enjoy a skiing trip with his family as well as attend the Aviva Premiership Final between the Saints and Leicester Tigers, and the charity’s aim is to help families affected by cancer by providing financial support to enjoy similar, memorable events together.
Tickets for the Trophy match will be available on the day of the game, or alternatively can be purchased in person from the Cobblers and Saints ticket offices, the Royal & Derngate box office, and online here. Advanced tickets are priced just £10 for adults and £4 for concessions, with carers and children aged seven and under admitted free of charge.