ENGLAND PLAYERS UNITE IN SUPPORT OF MATT HAMPSON

England ’s players are to auction off the shirts they wear in this weekend’s RBS 6 Nations game against Scotland to support injured Leicester Tigers prop Matt Hampson. Matt suffered a serious neck injury on Tuesday while training with the England U21s.   The RFU has been working with the Professional Rugby Players Association (PRA)   and Premier Rugby Ltd and England sponsor O2 to organise an auction whereby rugby supporters can text their bids to 88831 on Saturday, March 19^th 2005 .

Alternatively bids and donations will be accepted via e-mail to; info@prarugby.com. This address will appear on the RFU, PRA and all 12 Zurich Premiership club web site. The highest bidders for each individual shirt will receive that player’s England match shirt in a closed auction. Each player will sign their shirt for the successful bidder. The shirts will be embroidered with the players’ names, the opposition and date of the game.

Supporters can bid for the shirts by using the following instructions:

*Each text will cost £1.50 with all proceeds going to the cause.

(eg text Text BID followed by the players name and then bid in £s to 88821

Bidding will be open from 9am , Friday 18^th March to Wednesday 23^rd March at midnight

The successful bidders will be notified by Friday, 1^st April.

England Captain, Martin Corry commented yesterday on the squad led initiative; “We hope the money raised can in some way help Matt and his family during his recovery.”   

RFU Chief Executive, Francis Baron said “All our thoughts are with Matt and his family and we would encourage everyone to make as a high a bid as they possibly can.”  

Damian Hopley , Chief Executive of the PRA said “This is a very kind and thoughtful gesture from the England squad and we will be doing everything we can to help the initiative raise as much money as possible.”

Peter Tom, Chairman of Leicester Tigers said “This is a fantastic example of the rugby world rallying round to help out a player in need. I hope all media outlets and websites help us to promote the number over the next few days to help us help Matt.”

Howard Thomas, Chief Executive of Premier Rugby said “The Zurich Premiership clubs will be helping to publicise the bid to raise the maximum amount of money for Matt and his family at this difficult time.”

*For terms and conditions go to www.O2.co.uk/terms

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