Wasps legends set for return ahead of Bath clash this weekend - The Coventry Observer

Wasps legends set for return ahead of Bath clash this weekend

Coventry Editorial 25th Sep, 2017   0

RUGBY UNION: WASPS legends from across the decades are gearing up for a special appearance at the Ricoh Arena this Sunday as part of the club’s 150th anniversary celebrations.

More than 40 players spanning across five decades will be introduced on to to pitch ahead of the club’s Premiership clash against Bath (3pm).

World Cup winner Lawrence Dallaglio OBE and former team-mates from the 1990s and 2000s eras including Kenny Logan, Rob Andrew, Richard Birkett, Paul Volley and John Hart are expected at the special celebration game.

Back row from the late 1950s and 1960s Bob Collier, aged 77, is one of the oldest legends to grace the Ricoh Arena turf, and will be joined by Freddie Hawkins and David Rosser.




Teammates from the 1980s Mark Rose, Rob Lozowski and former captain Mark Rigby will also be reunited, while recently-retired captain Chris Bell – who is now head of partnership management at the Ricoh Arena – will make a return.

Twelve former Wasps Ladies players are also attending, including Claire Purdy who was part of the BBC Sports Personality Team of the Year in 2014 and former England fly-half Shelley Rae.


Dallaglio, who played for Wasps throughout his entire 18-year career, said: “To have such a wide range of former players present on the day really adds meaning to the phrase of ‘once a Wasp, always a Wasp.’

“Wasps Rugby Club is a part of my DNA and I have an overwhelming number of great memories at the club, which I’m looking forward to re-living with a number of my former team-mates on the day.

“It’s important for the club to reflect on its successful past, and now the club has its own permanent home in Coventry, hopefully the day can inspire this generation of players and fans to even more success in the future.”

Elsewhere on the day, bucket collections will be taking place around the stadium for Dallaglio RugbyWorks as the club aims to raise up to £50,000 for the charity over the course of the season.

Sunday will also mark the end of a two-day 150-mile cycle ride from Twickenham to the Ricoh via former Wasps’ grounds.

 

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