NEWPORT favourite Rod Snow, pictured, has lined up a galaxy of stars to play in his testimonial game at Rodney Parade on Saturday, May 21, almost certainly the last match he will ever play.

Snow is retiring at 34 after spending ten years at Rodney Parade playing for Newport and the Dragons, as well as earning over 50 caps for Canada.

A series of knee injuries in the past year have forced his decision and he intends returning to his native Newfoundland with his family.

His testimonial match has attracted a whole host of former Rodney Parade favourites, some travelling from the other side of the world to make it.

Gary Teichmann will fly in from South Africa and Shane Howarth is making the trip from New Zealand.

Teichmann, one of the finest captains South Africa have ever had, led Newport for most of the 1999-2000 season and all of the following campaign before retiring at the end of two great years with the Black and Ambers.

Howarth, capped by New Zealand and Wales, spent four highly successful years with Newport. "It's a huge trip for them both to make, they don't have to do it and I'm honoured they're coming over. I really appreciate it," said Snow.

Also lined up is Simon Raiwalui, who followed Teichmann as Newport captain, spending two years in the job before joining Zurich Premiership Saracens for whom he has just signed another two-year contract.

"He's another guy the fans love and sorely miss," said Snow.

Snow also hopes to have some notable Canadians in his squad - Mike James, the Stade Francais lock, scrum half Morgan Williams plus Gareth Rees, one of Canada's best players and a prolific kicker who spent a number of terrific years at Rodney Parade in the 90s.

Many other former Newport favourites are hoping to appear. Centres Mathew Watkins and Jonathan Pritchard will be re-united, while Matt Mostyn is coming over from Ireland and Ceri Jones, Sven Cronk, Mark Workman, Joe Powell, Alix Popham, Richard Parks, Andy Powell, Darren Edwards, Dale Burn, Alex Lawson and Matt Cardey could all turn out.

Andy Marinos, currently chief executive of the Dragons, may make a brief appearance along with Paul Turner, the former Newport favourite currently being linked with the Dragons coaching job from next season, and ex-winger Martyn Llewellyn, now a director.

There could be a place kicking competition at half-time between Howarth, Turner and Rees, three of the best Rodney Parade has ever seen.

"It'll probably be the last competitive game I'll ever play, but that's not important. I'd love to see lots of points scored and everyone enjoying it," said Snow. "There's a lot of former favourites playing and I hope it's a well done event with a lot of entertaining rugby."

Rod Snow's squad: M Cardey, A Lawson, M Mostyn, M Llewellyn, M Robinson, A Marinos, M Watkins, J Pritchard, G Rees, P Turner, S Howarth, S Mitchell, D Edwards, M Williams, D Burn, R Snow, C Jones, P Young, S Cronk, S Raiwalui, M Workman, M James, A Powell, A Popham, G Teichmann, J Powell, R Parks.

* Former Newport coach Ian McIntosh is also due to return to Rodney Parade in May to take charge of Snow's testimonial team

* Ex-Newport Gwent Dragons forward Ross Beattie has signed a two-year deal at Northampton. Beattie was released by the Dragons before Christmas, but has since become very successful at the Zurich Premiership outfit.