Gibbs can't wait to catch up with Offiah

12:08pm Wednesday 23rd July 2008

International Select XV skipper Scott Gibbs can't wait to catch up with his former rugby league rival Martin Offiah at Twickenham Stadium on 20 September in the Help for Heroes Challenge Match.

"Perhaps 'catch up' is not the right phrase," admitted Scott, "because Martin was the quickest player I ever saw on a rugby field. It will be great to see him again and have a chat about old times.

"We crossed swords in a number of Wigan v St Helen's derby matches when I was playing rugby league. You simply couldn't give him an inch because he'd be away.

"He was probably the hardest player to defend against over the full 80 minutes because you knew that if he got a sniff of some space he had the speed to exploit it. He had a great career with both Widnes and Wigan and it will be nice to see how he gets on against our secret weapon, Jonah Lomu.

"Now that is a battle between two rugby giants of different codes that is well worth the ticket price on 20 September."

Gibbs, a full four years younger than the 41-year-old Offiah, is also coming out of retirement to lead the International Select XV. His training is going well and on Sunday he will be joining Wales Grand Slam prop Gethin Jenkins on the starting line of the Bupa Great Wales Run over 10k in Cardiff Bay.

"Gethin had a fantastic season with Wales and has established himself as one of the best prop forwards in the world. It will be interesting to see if I can keep up with him on the day," said Gibbs.

Tickets for the Help for Heroes match on September 20 are available from Ticketmaster on 0844 8472492 or www.Ticketmaster.co.uk Tickets are priced from £20 for adults, £10 for juniors (under 16) with a family ticket for two adults and two children costing £50.00.

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