RUGBY players are extending a long-running friendship with a special fundraiser.

Traditionally, members of Haddington RFC and CYM RFC, from Terenure in Dublin, would visit one another for an annual fixture.

However, with coronavirus restrictions currently in place, a change has been made to ensure that the long-standing friendship is extended.

This year’s match will take the form of a team running challenge, with each team looking to cover as many miles as they can during the 24 hours of next Thursday (March 11).

CYM hope to have a men’s and a women’s team, with the losing team supplying the trophy.

Keith Wallace, president of the Neilson Park side, said it had been a tough year for everyone involved with the sport.

Haddington have not played a game since March 7 last year, with new head coach Clifford Livingstone yet to take charge of his first contest.

Wallace said: “It’s just been really frustrating, I guess.

“We have had some stop starts with rugby and we’ve had some stop starts with getting the bar open in the clubhouse to see people.

“It has been a challenge in terms of seeing people more than anything.”

The link between Haddington and CYM dates back to 1949, with a match contested between the two sides each year.

For only the second time, the match has been shelved, with the running challenge now in place.

Wallace said that 24 people had signed up, with hopes of teams of 25 people taking part in the challenge.

A 'virtual dinner' will then be held next Saturday (March 13), with speeches, drinks, music, a quiz and a treasure hunt all planned.

Wallace, president of the East Lothian side, said: “We have been missing the fellowship and getting together.

“We have got great friends over there that we have known for a number of years.

“The challenge is a bit of fun and the dinner will be a bit of a riot!”

The rugby club is also looking to raise money for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.

The charity was set up by former Scotland rugby international Doddie Weir.

The 61-times capped lock announced he had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease in the summer of 2017.

The condition results in the progressive loss of motor neurons that control voluntary muscles.

Weir set up My Name’5 Doddie to raise funds for research into a cure for MND and to provide grants to people living with the condition.

Anyone looking to take part in the running challenge on behalf of the county rugby club should contact Neil Scott on 07929 537109 or email tottynrs@yahoo.co.uk

Anyone looking to reserve a place at the virtual dinner should contact Wallace on 07713 887150.

To support the club, go to uk.virginmoneygiving.com/KeithWallace2