Plate Winners of the Old Newtonians RFC Veterans Tournament 2012

IRISH INTERNATIONAL Veterans have bestowed Hammersmith and Fulham RFC the honour of playing in a charity curtain raiser against Bective Rangers RFC, before the fourth annual Stuart Mangan Memorial Cup clash between England and Ireland Legends, in Donnybrook on Friday February 9th.

The fixture named in honour of Stuart Mangan, who tragically died in 2009 following a tragic spinal injury suffered whilst playing for Hammersmith and Fulham, has greater intentions, and that’s to raise as much money as possible in Stuart’s memory, for the RFU Injured Players Foundation and the IRFU Charitable Trust.

While in hospital Stuart met Matt Hampson, England U20’s prop who suffered a similar spinal injury, and it’s here the idea for an England v Ireland Legends game was born. However, it’s the drive and determination of some, including ex-England A wing Harvey Thorneycroft, Martin Corry, Jason Leonard and Shane Byrne, that has seen the fixture flourish and successfully raise huge funds for many charitable organisations.

So far team-mates at Hammersmith and Fulham RFC, who have been greatly affected by Stuart’s death, have raised over £100,000 for the Stuart Mangan Appeal. 43 Vets are making the trip to Dublin. They are all funding their own tour and have collectively pledged to raise at least £10,000, but we hope with your help to raise in excess of £25,000.

The HFRFC Vets v Bective Rangers RFC match kicks off at 5:30, and if you’re in Dublin, tickets can be  bought via Ticketmaster But, if you can’t make it, dig deep and support this worthy cause by donating here.