Shane Williams and Mike Phillips are the first names to sign up for a testimonial to mark their old Wales and Ospreys team-mate James Hook’s glittering career.
The game between a James Hook Select XV and a Classic Lions XV will take place under lights at The Gnoll on Friday, June 10.
Boasting four Grand Slams between them, Williams and Hook were integral figures in a hugely successful period for Welsh rugby and can be counted among Wales’ finest players, with Williams named as World Player of the Year in 2008 and both he and Phillips featuring in Tests for the British and Irish Lions.
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The pair are close pals of Hook, with all three figuring in Wales’ Grand Slam-winning campaign in 2008 as well as playing for a number of years in the same Ospreys team. Hook won 81 caps between 2006 and 2015, along the way pleasing crowds with his skill and derring-do. One of Port Talbot's finest also had no ego.
The match will allow him to enjoy a fitting on-pitch send-off, with the ex-fly-half denied one during his final days as a player because of the Covid pandemic.
"It was sad in a way that James’ career should finish during lockdown because there was no chance for supporters to show their appreciation after all he had done as a player," said Matt Church, chief executive of Cambria Sports Group, who own Neath RFC and Classic Lions.
"He was hugely popular not only because he was a free spirit who played the game as he saw it, but also because he’s a nice guy as well, someone who always gives his time to help others and chat with supporters. Having Shane and Mike to figure in his testimonial is brilliant. The pair are all-time greats of Welsh rugby and didn’t have to be asked twice about supporting James.
"Also, staging the match at The Gnoll seems right as James played his first senior game there and also his last, for Ospreys against Leinster before we were all locked down. He didn’t know at the time it would be his final game for the Ospreys, but that’s how it turned out.
The aim is to fill The Gnoll, just as we did for Paul James’ testimonial a few years ago. Hopefully, we can turn it into a special occasion."
Tickets are online only and will go on sale from April 1. They’ll be able to be purchased at jameshooktestimonal.com and neathrfc.com.
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