A HOST of former Gwent rugby stars have agreed to turn out for a special Christmas match at Newbridge in a Steve Jones memorial encounter.

The memorial game is between Pontypool and Newbridge legends and proceeds go to Molly Jones, the daughter of Steve 'Junna' Jones, the former Pontypool and Newport hooker and ex-Pontypool, Newport and Newbridge coach who died in September at the age of 55.

The game will be played on Thursday, December 27 with a 2.30pm kick off.

Among the Pontypool Legends named in their squad are former Wales and Pooler captain Eddie Butler, ex-Welsh Rugby Union and fellow Wales back row forward Alun Carter, Garin Jenkins, now, like Butler, involved in broadcasting, plus David Bishop and Mark Ring, who enjoyed almost folk hero status with the club, and fellow ex-internationals Roger Bidgood, Kevin Moseley, Staff Jones and Nigel Meek.

Leighton Jones, the Pontypool captain and son of Steve, is also in the squad which has Graham Price, who received the MBE from the Queen this week, as team manager with another legend, John Perkins a touch judge.

A host of former Newbridge regulars are in their legends squad. Most notable is probably Paul Turner, their record points scorers and now Newport Gwent Dragons coach.

Fellow Dragons coach Dai Rees, also Wales Sevens coach, is named as well along with Jonathan Westwood, Byron Hayward, David Manley, Jeff Harris, Chris Manley, Jeff Harris, Jason Williams, Paul Williams, Richard Smith, John Rowlands, Ken Waters, Mike Whitson, Andrew Collins, Andrew Gibbs, Peter Crane, David Roberts and many more.

Team manager will be Keith Westwood, associated with Newbridge for most of his rugby life, while former back row man Martin Short will be their touch judge.

Pontypool Legends squad: Mike Goldsworthy, John Williams, Bleddyn Taylor, Shaun White, Jonathan Hawker, Goff Davies, Phil Blight, Scott Williams, Roger Bidgood, Shaun Hanson, Adrian Parry, Steve Watkins, Mark Ring, David Bishop, Mark Jones, Eddie Butler, Kevin Moseley, Vince Davies, Cae Treharne, Alun Carter, Paul Leonard, Steve Jackson, Ian Jones, Garin Jenkins, Nigel Meek, Leighton Jones, Paul Jenkins, Martin Jones, Staff Jones.

Newbridge Legends squad: Peter Goodfellow, David Rees, Jonathan Westwood, Byron Hayward, David Manley, Jeff Harris, Jeff Howells, John Peregrine, Paul Turner, Chris Manley, Jason Williams, Paul Williams, Richard Lewis, Richard Smith, John Rowlands, Ken Waters, Neil Hitchman, Andrew Oliver, Phil Taylor, Bob Smith, Andy Sutton, Andrew Collins, Mike Whitson, Kevin Dunn, Andrew Gibbs, Peter Jones, Peter Crane, Stuart Griffiths, Damion Cooper, Gareth Howells, Neil James, David Roberts, Julian Derrick.

The club will be open from 11am on the day and admission will cost £5, proceeds going to Junna's daughter Molly.

Advanced tickets are available from Newbridge commercial manager Matthew Jones on 01495 249995 or by email on matthew@newbridgerfc.co.uk.

Newbridge Rugby Club officials are expecting a large crowd of several thousand for a match which, though of a charity nature, will revive memories of old derbies between the two Gwent rivals.