WALES great JPR Williams heads a host of former internationals who will turn out for Cross Keys coach David Rees' testimonial game later this month.

A testimonial game for a coach is rare, but Keys have granted one to Rees who has been associated with the club for 18 years and is in his tenth season as coach or player-coach (apart from a six-month break).

In that time he has taken Keys back to the Welsh Premier Division for one season, steered them to a cup semi-final as a Division One side and has ensured a top six First Division place in almost every campaign.

The testimonial game at Pandy Park on Friday, March 21 (7pm) will see Cross Keys take on a Wales XV of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.

"It has been a fantastic last ten years," said Rees. "In that time we have rewritten the club record books across the board and achieved a great deal of success.

"I have enjoyed the time immensely since taking over as the youngest coach in the Premier Division at the age of 29.

"I have seen the transition to professional rugby but really enjoyed the times before that when we went on tours to Cyprus, Spain and Canada.

"There has been great camaraderie and I have tried to keep that at the club. At the end of the day it's the players who matter."

Rees praised the club for both granting him a testimonial - "an unusual event in this division" - and for their support.

"Cross Keys have been fantastic to me," said Rees. "They have provided me with many opportunities within the game and I readily acknowledge their input into my coaching career.

"It has been my success with them which resulted in my becoming involved in the Welsh set-up with the under-19s.

"They promised me when I became involved they would let me get on with things in my own way and they have kept to that and I'm grateful to all concerned."

Rees is also grateful to all the stars who will turn out for him on March 21, all of whom, apart from the great JPR, he played with at some time.

"It will be particularly nice to see Robert Jones, the Welsh scrum half the last time Wales beat England at Cardiff, in action again and also David Bishop and Mark Ring, the half backs when Pontypool last topped the Welsh Championship," said Rees.

With tickets priced £5 (£2 50 juniors) it is to be hoped a decent crowd turn up to support Rees.

Squad: JPR Williams, David Bishop, Robert Jones, David Evans, Jeff Whitefoot, Mark Ring, Paul Turner, Mike Rayer, Mike Griffiths, Nigel Meek, Kingsley Jones, John Devereux, Glen Webbe, Anthony Clements, Mark Jones, Byron Hayward, Tony Copsey, Paul Moriarty, Rupert Moon.