Two giants of rugby union -- both in terms of ability and stature -- are heading to Tokyo in June.
Unfortunately, for Japanese fans of the "game played in heaven" they will not be joining the plethora of former and current international players plying their trade in the Top League.
Rather, Martin Johnson and John Eales will be over here as part of the former's "Testimonial Year."
The two second-row forwards, and the last two captains to lift the Rugby World Cup, will be holding an entertainment dinner in Tokyo to raise funds for the Martin Johnson Testimonial, which hopes to collect £1 million during the year for MacMillan Cancer Relief, the NSPCC and SPARKS, as well as a number of other charities.
The event, on June 10 at the Westin Hotel, will be hosted by former England and British Lions hooker Peter Wheeler, and will feature "An Audience With," during which guests will be able to pose their own questions to the two legends; video action from the players' careers and a Grand Auction featuring an amazing array of sporting memorabilia and prizes.
Johnson, who has announced that he will retire at the end of the season will be fresh off a testimonial game at Twickenham.
Captain of the England side that won the 2003 Rugby World Cup, the Leicester stalwart also captained the British Lions in 1997 and 2001 and is renowned the world over as one of the greatest locks and captains to have ever played the game.
Eales' nickname sums up his contribution to the game -- the Queenslander, who played when Australia won the 1991 RWC and who lifted the Webb Ellis trophy in 1999 when Australia triumphed for the second time, being known simply as "Nobody" as in "Nobody's perfect."
For more information on the various sponsorship opportunities and on the different table categories available please contact Robert Derry in Hong Kong on 852-29730181 or e-mail [email protected]