The full list of Welsh rugby's favourite players returning to action within days for James Hook as legend to lace up boots aged 57

No fewer than 23 internationals will be on parade at James Hook's testimonial match this Friday evening at the Gnoll in Neath.

Some of the greatest names in Welsh rugby are putting their boots back on for a much-anticipated game which is likely to attract a sizeable crowd.

Among the stars taking part are Shane Williams, Mike Phillips and Colin Charvis, with Allan Bateman defying Old Father Time by turning out at the age of 57. Other former Welsh internationals on duty will include Mark Taylor, Matthew Rees, Jonathan Thomas and Rhys Gill, along with Hook himself.

There are also a number of Test players from other countries in action, such as ex-England trio Phil Vickery, Delon Armitage and Luke Narraway, plus Tongan duo Dave Tiueti and Maa’ma Molitika, while Kiwi No. 8 Nick Williams is one of the more recently-retired players involved. Dual code star Kevin Ellis, who - like Bateman - is 57, is another who will be rolling back the years.

The game will be a meeting between a James Hook Select XV, featuring the 81-cap playmaker, and a Classic Lions XV. Tickets cost £15 for adults and £7.50 for children under 14 and they are available via this link. Gates at the Gnoll open at 5pm on Friday, with the match kicking off at 7pm.

Outlining the thinking behind the fixture, Matt Church, chief executive of Cambria Sports Group - who own Neath RFC and Classic Lions - said: “We wanted to to do this properly for James. He’s a Welsh rugby legend and he deserves a big send-off which Covid unfortunately denied him. We’ve persuaded some world-class players to come out of retirement for this game.”

A bumper crowd is expected, as was the case for the star-studded Paul James Testimonial match at the Gnoll in July 2019.

Andrew Howells, Matthew