TWO former All Blacks legends and an ex-Welsh international are to boost Ludlow Rugby Club’s recent renaissance during the forthcoming World Cup.

Ex-All Black winger Bryan Williams and No.8 Xavier Rush will join Phil Kingsley Jones, the one-time Worcester and Gloucester flanker, at a dinner at the Linney Club on Thursday, October 22.

Ludlow have bounced back from a low point a year ago when they were on the brink of being wiped out after the theft of most of the club’s funds by former treasurer Samantha Rosenberg.

After much hard work from the committee, they are back in the black, the clubhouse and grounds have never been so well used by the community with the Town Band, Young Farmers and model racing club all meeting there regularly.

On the field the mini and junior ranks have been swollen by new members, a ladies group has begun as well as touch rugby sessions for all ages and abilities.

Respected coach Norman Stalker has been retained for another year and a number of new players have joined as a result.

Starting with the game against Wales on September 26, all of England’s World Cup matches will be shown live at the club. On October 24, the semi-final screening will be preceded by a tag tournament for teams from local businesses. Tickets for the dinner on October 22 are £30.

*INJURIES and unavailability forced Ludlow to concede last Saturday’s North Midlands Shield tie at Evesham. As a consequence they now take part in this season’s North Midlands Shield Plate.