Rugby legends to cycle match ball 500 miles for charity

A team of international rugby stars are getting set to cycle from Twickenham to Murrayfield where Scotland will play England in a Calcutta Cup match.

The ‘Wounded Lions 500’ team of former Scotland and England internationals will ride the match ball for the 500 mile journey that will take 48 hours to complete.

They are hopeful the trip will help them raise £100,000 towards two charities set up by rugby legends Doddie Weir and Tom Smith.

Led by former Scotland captain and British and Irish Lions player Rob wainwright, who played with both Weir and Smith, they will also be joined by endurance cyclist for the trip that will take place between February 6 and February 8.

The Auld Enemy clash at Murrayfield on the same day the team finish their journey in Edinburgh.

Former flanker Wainwright will be joined by Kelly Brown and recently retired internationalist and current Edinburgh player John Barclay.

Will Carling and Peter Winterbottom will be representing England.

The charities set to benefit are My Name’5 Doddie Foundation for MND and 40tude, a charity selected by Smith after he was diagnosed with stage 4 Colon Cancer.

Rob Wainwright said: “I’m hugely honoured to have played for Scotland and the Lions alongside Doddie and Tom.

“Whilst we cannot heal them, we can point our bikes north for 48 hours and suffer in solidarity with them, inspired by their fortitude and courage in the face of adversity.”

This is the second year that the ride has taken place after the group raised £65,000 in 2019.

Riders last year averaged 2 hours of sleep across the 48 hour gruelling challenge.

This year’s ride will be split into legs with short breaks at rugby clubs throughout the UK, including, Newcastle Falcons and Northampton Saints, former clubs of Doddie and Tom.

Cyclists are warmly welcomed to support the team and join the ride for as much of the route as they wish.