Rugby Football Union - Leonard to make comeback in Sussex celebration game

Leonard to make comeback in Sussex celebration game

by Simon Mills


	Jason Leonard photo by Getty

Jason Leonard will pull on his boots one more time to help a club in Sussex celebrate the opening of their new pitch this month.

The world’s most capped international player will be at Heathfield & Waldron RFC on Sunday, October 17.

Leonard ended his international career in March after making 114 appearances for England and retired from club rugby at the end of last season.

But he will appear for a President’s XV against the Heathfield side for the official opening of the new first team pitch which cost £90,000 to relay at the Hardy Roberts ground.

Leonard will be joined by former Wales and British Lions international John Taylor, who commentated on last year's World Cup final for ITV.

“Jason’s promised to go on and play for a few minutes and our front row are looking forward to giving him a bit of trouble,” said Heathfield secretary Peter Mercer.

“He’ll be joining us for lunch, as will John Taylor, and will be answering questions before the game kicks off at 3pm.”

The club, who play in Sussex Division One of the English leagues, raised £91,180 to flatten, drain and lay the new pitch, with support form the National Lottery, government, local authorities and the Rugby Football Foundation.

“It’s been very successful,” said Mercer. “We’ve got a glorious new pitch laid out to a very high-tech specification.

“It should be a very big day and even though we’re in a very rural area we receive tremendous support from the local community.”

Heathfield were awarded £54,180 by the New Opportunities Fund Green Spaces programme and £19,464 by the government’s Community Club Development Programme.

Their Parish Council and Community Association contributed £1,200 and £1,000 respectively, the Rugby Football Foundation awarded £5,000 and the club raised £10,336 themselves.

The new facilities will also help Heathfield continue to develop youth rugby in the area

"We have a very active mini and junior section that's been growing each year," said Heathfield's business manager David Henry.

"This year we're creating an under-16 team that will complete the set of youth teams. We have more than 250 juniors and minis playing each weekend which is a huge achievement for a small country club."

Heathfield's excellence in provision of youth rugby will be recognised on the 17th when they receive the RFU Seal of Approval and Clubmark awards.

The Rugby Football Union will be represented by Community Rugby and Operations Director Terry Burwell, Junior Vice President Bob Rogers and Funding and Facilities Executive Dave Stubley.