Scarlets duo join forces with Northern Hemisphere players for Heroes rugby challenge

Scarlets pair Jordan Williams and Peter Edwards will be part of a Northern Hemisphere team squad for this weekend’s Heroes Rugby Challenge at Twickenham Stadium.

Williams, another of the group of rising young Scarlets who have been part of the Scarlets regional development pathway, is already impressing at senior level. The 18 year-old Llanelli born and bred outside half, who has also played at full-back, has made three appearances in a Scarlets shirt this season, scoring a try against Leicester Tigers in the LV=Cup. He has played in nine games for Llanelli RFC scoring an impressive 140 points.

Williams follows in the footsteps of Scarlets and Wales outside half Rhys Priestland who played his first “Help for Heroes” match in 2008 and at that time was not the name on everyone’s lips.

Scarlets Club mate Peter Edwards, 31, who burst onto the Scarlets scene last season at tight head Prop is in his second year at Parc y Scarlets and is returning to full fitness after an arm fracture last season. Born in Shrewsbury, Edwards has played for Scarlets’ feeder club Llandovery RFC before earning a regional contract.

Scarlets Head Coach Nigel Davies who has released the players for the fixture said: “Firstly we are delighted to be playing our part in backing this important cause and great rugby fixture which so widely supported and rightly so. These two players will have a great experience as a result in front of a big crowd at Twickenham with some formidable opposition including some of the players in the World Cup – so from the point of view of pitting themselves against top level competition it is an excellent game to be involved in.

“It will be a great opportunity for them and another step in their development and experience as rugby players.”

The Northern Hemisphere team is being put together by former Scarlet and Wales international Ieuan Evans who said: “Don’t forget that few people had heard of Rhys Priestland when he was first picked for the first ever Help for Heroes rugby match in 2008 and just look where he is now and how he’s set for a wonderful international career.

“From what I’m hearing at Parc y Scarlets, the home coaches and supporters rate Jordan Williams very highly and he could well emerge as a major threat to Rhys for the no10 home jersey at club and country in years to come. The experience these players will have from being part of this squad will be invaluable and they will all emerge as better players from their involvement in this great cause.

The Heroes Rugby Challenge in aid of Help for Heroes is being supported by JP Morgan and will be played on Saturday 3rd December 2011 at Twickenham Stadium kicking off at 4.30pm. Ticket prices start at £15 for adults, £10 for U16s and are available through Ticketmaster. For more information please visit www.heroesrugby.org.uk.