England vs Ireland Legends match at the Stoop
Over 11 000 fans turned out at the Twickenham Stoop last weekend to watch England and Ireland legends of the game play in the inaugural Stuart Mangan Memorial Match, in aid of the Matt Hampson Trust in England and Keith Wood’s Paralysed Rugby Players’ Fund in Ireland.
England were led by former captain Martin Corry, and had the likes of Jason Robinson, Josh Lewsey, Mike Catt, Neil Back, and Jason Leonard playing. Ireland were led by Shane Byrne and included Mick Galwey, Reggie Corrigan, Trevor Brennan, Justin Bishop, and Rob Henderson.
"It's definitely a lot more friendly than it used to be but I think when the whistle goes the lads will still try to be as if their waistline was a few inches thinner and they'd be able to run a little bit faster," said Byrne pre kick-off.
While the match raised support for both charities, it was in honour of the memory of the inspirational Stuart Mangan, who was just 26 when he passed away last August following a spinal injury while playing for Hammersmith against Fulham RFC in London in 2008.
"We are absolutely delighted that the match is taking place — we received fantastic support from the rugby community for Stuart before he died and they want to continue supporting his memory," explained Stuarts father, Brian Mangan.
"With Stuart’s love of rugby this is a particularly appropriate way to honour his memory, one which allows people who gathered around him at the time to stay in touch with each other."
Former England fullback Robinson was outstanding on the night, showing that he’s still got the magic that dazzled defenders for so many years. The cause was greater though.
"This means a lot to everybody and the fans have turned out in their thousands, so it's great to see that," said Robinson, who ran circles around some of the more out of shape players.
Plans are already under way for this to become an annual fixture, with the return match being played in Dublin in 2011.
Time: 03:26
Note: Thanks to Sky Sports
England were led by former captain Martin Corry, and had the likes of Jason Robinson, Josh Lewsey, Mike Catt, Neil Back, and Jason Leonard playing. Ireland were led by Shane Byrne and included Mick Galwey, Reggie Corrigan, Trevor Brennan, Justin Bishop, and Rob Henderson.
"It's definitely a lot more friendly than it used to be but I think when the whistle goes the lads will still try to be as if their waistline was a few inches thinner and they'd be able to run a little bit faster," said Byrne pre kick-off.
While the match raised support for both charities, it was in honour of the memory of the inspirational Stuart Mangan, who was just 26 when he passed away last August following a spinal injury while playing for Hammersmith against Fulham RFC in London in 2008.
"We are absolutely delighted that the match is taking place — we received fantastic support from the rugby community for Stuart before he died and they want to continue supporting his memory," explained Stuarts father, Brian Mangan.
"With Stuart’s love of rugby this is a particularly appropriate way to honour his memory, one which allows people who gathered around him at the time to stay in touch with each other."
Former England fullback Robinson was outstanding on the night, showing that he’s still got the magic that dazzled defenders for so many years. The cause was greater though.
"This means a lot to everybody and the fans have turned out in their thousands, so it's great to see that," said Robinson, who ran circles around some of the more out of shape players.
Plans are already under way for this to become an annual fixture, with the return match being played in Dublin in 2011.
Time: 03:26
Note: Thanks to Sky Sports
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18 Comments:
First!!!!
By Anonymous, at March 07, 2010 6:30 pm
England need to bring Robinson back from retirement
By Anonymous, at March 07, 2010 7:09 pm
Billy Whizz has still got lightning toes! Enjoyed this vid, cheers RD.
By Phil, at March 07, 2010 7:22 pm
@Anon#1
First...tard!
Nice vid.
By Stubbe, at March 07, 2010 8:25 pm
Hahaha Byrne:"never mind that did you see me tackling Jason Robertson" legend!! Great match, great cause, more please!
By Conor, at March 07, 2010 9:15 pm
Anybody have the starting teams?
By Brennie, at March 07, 2010 9:43 pm
haha robinson could still make England's starting XV by the looks of things
By Oli, at March 07, 2010 10:28 pm
Man I miss Jason Robinson so much, easily my favourite player of all time. Just wish he'd get involved in the England set up, who knows maybe we could drag him out of retirement!
I guess he's one of the reasons i like Ben Foden so much, he has the same attacking mentality and ability to split defences.
By Chris M, at March 07, 2010 10:49 pm
..........that whole team looks like they could make England's starting XV......
By Anonymous, at March 07, 2010 11:41 pm
Hahaha, Looks like these guys could beat a few Premiership teams, they do things with a ball that today's youth just cannot do!
It's a shame really...
And Billy Whizz, WOW
Bring Robinson back to the england team!!
By Canadianscrumhalf, at March 08, 2010 12:01 am
Great video! Here's hping to see it again next year in dublin! and come on ireland!
By beaver14, at March 08, 2010 9:06 am
Man, and they say they're retired! These two teams can take the name of a lot other teams! Wow, I'm impressed. And Jason Robinson? No comment!
By ditce, at March 08, 2010 10:20 am
great work for bishops try. would ahve loved to seen the game, maybe will catch the return fixture next year, well worth the occassion. looks like great fun, good rugby, legends of the game and mostly a worthy cause.
well done both sides. as an irish man im hoping Billy Whiz does not come outta retierment... god forbid england should beat us again. what a player. lol
By Patron, at March 08, 2010 1:16 pm
It would be great if they played next years match in Cork ... I doubt Fermoy could attract or bring the numbers, Mardyke probably a bit small(?) and will Musgrave be under construction then?
I've connections to Fermoy and was in UCC same time as Stuart but didn't know him. Tragic story... as are the other similar cases.
By Anonymous, at March 08, 2010 6:58 pm
byrne got fat.
By Anonymous, at March 08, 2010 9:50 pm
fatter in fact
By Anonymous, at March 08, 2010 9:51 pm
' Anonymous said...
byrne got fat.
March 08, 2010 9:50 PM
Anonymous said...
fatter in fact
March 08, 2010 9:51 PM'
He was always slightly large but in good shape for the old school hookers, but yeh, he's looking a bit 'poppin fresh' now....
By Anonymous, at March 08, 2010 10:30 pm
to: anonymous
Ucc would be too packed even the stoop attracted 10,000.
whats the deal with muzzers? Temple hill even holds more then UCC, not much more but enough. They could lease out Turners Cross, but more then likely it'll be in Donnybrook or RDS.
would be nice to see some decent games in cork, even Munster rarely use the ground since the new Thomond park opened
By Patron, at March 10, 2010 12:20 pm
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