THIS year sees a major landmark in the history of Rugby Union in St Helens.

One hundred years ago a group of young men returned from World War 1 and with the help of the Headmaster at Cowley School, formed St Helens Old Boys Rugby Club.

Colonel W N Pilkington then enabled the move to Moss Lane in 1931 and a year later the club became known as St Helens RUFC. In 1986 the St Helens and Liverpool clubs came together to form Liverpool St Helens FC, playing at Moss Lane today.

To celebrate 100 years of rugby union in St Helens, a star studded line up of players, from both codes, has been assembled to play a 100 Years Anniversary Game between St Helens and the Rest of the World at Moss Lane on Saturday 13 April.

The game which is the centrepiece of the three day LSH Beer Festival, is being played in aid of St Helens Autism Support (SAS) a cause supported by both the League and Union Clubs. The shirts for each team have been generously sponsored and provided by Univar Ltd and Sherdley Park Golf Club.

Players confirmed to take the field include Paul Wellens, Sean Long, Martin Gleeson, Tommy Martyn and Ade Gardner in a St Helens side to be coached on the day by Justin Holbrook. The Rest of the World side includes South Africans Jan Voortman, Juan Crous and Johan Goosen from Sedgely Tigers, Florin Iancu (Romania), Carlos Hassan (Fiji) and former LSH favourite Njike Tchakoute, capped by Cameroon whilst at Moss Lane. After the game there is a meet the players session for everyone to join in.

Ray French, President of Liverpool St Helens, said: “It is right that we celebrate the 100 years of rugby and remember the contribution of Cowley School and many others, but more than that it is great to see players from both codes getting together for such a worthy cause and we thank these legends of the game for taking part.”

French, himself a dual code rugby international, continued “It is also a time to meet old friends as well as helping the Club look forward to the future”.