NORTH Wales is set to welcome the biggest get-together of famous rugby players in the region for nearly 30 years at a gala dinner for two dual-code players who suffered career threatening injuries during the summer.
Picture shows Mike Hall in action before the injury
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The huge gathering of rugby union and league players will descend on Rhyl Rugby Sports and Social Club to help raise funds for Mike Hall and Wayne Jones.
Both players received horrific leg injuries playing for their respective rugby league clubs in the North Wales Conference during the summer.
The “Rugby Looks After Its Own” Gala Celebrity Dinner will be hosted by former England Rugby Union international and head coach, Dick Greenwood, now a resident of Rhos on Sea.
In attendance will be legends from both codes of rugby for a star-studded evening of entertainment. All proceeds will go to support injured players in the North Wales Conference of the Wales Rugby League.
Among those confirmed to be attending will be five full Great Britain internationals and eight full internationals including GB and Wales Rugby League legends Iestyn Harris, Lee Briers, Trevor Skerret, Paul Prendiville and Mike Nicholas. Former Wales and British Lions Rugby Union player Scott Quinnell is also on the guest list along with GB and Wigan rugby league star Andy Gregory.
Mike Hall, 22, from Rhyl, dislocated his ankle and fractured his fibia playing for Rhyl and Prestatyn Panthers against Flintshire Falcons in July. The promising young forward was in his first season of a full professional contract with Italian Serie A rugby union side Romagna.
Hall, a product of Rhyl Rugby Club’s youth section and a former RGC 1404 player, is expected to be out for a season after having a metal plate inserted in his leg.
Wayne Jones, from Wrexham, is a single parent with an eight month-old daughter. The 28 year old, who plays for Capenhurst, was having a run for Wrexham Bradley Raiders when he dislocated his knee and ruptured his patella tendon.
Originally he was told his rugby days were over but his surgeon did such a good job he hopes to resume playing in 12 to 18 months.
Dick, father of England World Cup winning centre, Will Greenwood, said the dinner would be the largest gathering of rugby internationals in North Wales since Lions stars JPR Williams, Graham Price and Nick Jeavons played at the Rhyl Pub Sevens in August 1982.
"Both rugby codes are among the finest of all team sports and the support from the highest levels of both great codes for these seriously injured lads is testament to the true spirit of rugby."
The dinner takes place at Rhyl RUFC Sports and Social Club, Vale Road, Rhyl LL18 9PH on Friday October 26th (7.30pm for 8pm). Tickets are priced at £35 a head or £350 for a table of 10.
The event is sponsored by Akuma Rugby www.akuma.com and there will be opportunities to win some great prizes on the night including VIP rugby packages, rugby international tickets, signed memorabilia, rugby balls and kit.
For ticket sales or further information on the event, contact Richard Greenwood on 07860 206608 or email him via jrhgreenwood@btinternet.com
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