Two members of the last British & Irish Lions tour party to win a Test series are coming out of retirement this week.
Allan Bateman and Barry Williams, who both toured South Africa in 1997, have agreed to play in Adam Jones’ Testimonial Match against Neath at The Gnoll on Friday night (k-o 7.45pm), where they will also be joined by 2001 tourist Mark Taylor.
Jones launched a career that has seen him play for the Lions, win three Grand Slams and four RaboDirect PRO12 titles at Neath and is delighted to be returning to his old stamping ground to kick-off his Testimonial season.,
“The Gnoll is where it all started for me and to be able to go 'home' and hold my Testimonial Game there is an honour,” said Jones.
“I first pulled on the Welsh All Black jersey, albeit a little snug, when I replaced Andrew Millward against Connacht in 2000. I never thought I'd be coming back 12 years later to play a game in my honour.
"The club and my region have provided me with great support and I'm really looking forward to playing alongside Steve Tandy once more, while many of my Ospreys team mates will be adding their support.”
Tickets to watch Adam Jones Testimonial Select XV are still available at £10 for adults, £5 for children and FREE for Under 11s at Neath RFC ticket office and will be available until kick off on Friday 24 August.
Adam Jones Testimonial Select Squad
Backs: Gareth Morris (Neath), Cellan Edwards (Abercrave), Carwyn Owen (Abercrave), Nathan Brew (Neath, Wales), Dave Tiueti (Neath, Ospreys, Tonga), James Storey (Neath), Allan Bateman (Maesteg, Neath, Wales, British & Irish Lions), Mark Taylor (Pontypool, Swansea, Wales, British & Irish Lions), Leigh Davies (Neath, Llanelli, Ospreys, Wales) Andy Williams (Ospreys, Bath, Dragons, Wales), Lee Jarvis (Cardiff, Wales), Dylan Pugh (Neath), Sam Davies (Ospreys, Wales U18s, U20s), Barry Davies (Scarlets, Brive, Ospreys, Wales)
Forwards: Adam Jones (Ospreys, Wales, British & Irish Lions), Andrew Howells (Neath), Andrew Millward (Neath, Ospreys, Wales A), Daniel Suter (Ospreys, Wales U20s), Paul Jones (Neath), Mefin Davies (Neath, Ospreys, Gloucester, Leicester, Wales), Barry Williams (Neath, Ospreys, Wales, British & Irish Lions), Osprey Hooker (TBC), Lyndon Bateman (Neath, Ospreys), Steve Martin (Neath), Andrew Newman (Neath, Northampton, Ospreys, Wales A), James Goode (Ospreys, Manawatu, Newcastle Falcons), Lloyd Peers (Ospreys), Sam Williams (Ospreys), Richard Francis (Neath, Wales A), Dan Baugh (Cardiff, Canada), Steve Tandy (Neath, Ospreys), Hywel Jenkins (Llanelli, Neath, Ospreys, Wales A), Kati Tu'ipulotu (Neath, Tonga), George Stowers (Ospreys, Samoa), Morgan Allan (Ospreys, Wales U20)
