COVENTRY Rugby will contest the inaugural Matt Gallagher Cup when they host Nottingham Rugby this weekend (Saturday, December 20).
The Champ Rugby contest marks the launch of the Matt Gallagher Cup – a fixture dedicated to a former player of both Coventry and Nottingham.
Both clubs intend to contest for the cup twice a season with the two sides’ home matches counting as matches for the trophy.
Gallagher was diagnosed with MND (Motor Neurone Disease) in October 2023.
He joined Nottingham as a 20-year-old in 1993 from Birmingham and Solihull Bees.
The full-back made 66 appearances and scored 204 points for Nottingham during his three seasons with the club.
He also featured in consecutive County Championship finals at Twickenham for Warwickshire during his time at Nottingham.
Gallagher moved to Coventry in 1996 and helped the club reach the play-offs in his debut season which included a notable victory against a star-studded Newcastle Falcons side.
He made exactly 100 appearances for Coventry before returning to Birmingham and Solihull and retiring from the sport in 2003.
Gallagher currently helps run Coventry’s former players association.
He established the Matt Gallagher Foundation to support people living with MND and their families following his diagnosis.
The foundation aims to provide practical, immediate support to families.
This includes funding mobility equipment and home adaptations to offering respite and financial assistance, as well as supporting non-paid carers.
Supporters attending the match, which takes place on Saturday, December 20 with kick-off at 3pm at Butts Park Arena, can make a donation to the foundation at the fixture.
Bucket collectors will be located around the ground while the foundation are also setting up a dedicated GoFundMe page for the match.
For more information, visit: mattgallagherfoundation.org
