Former Wales international Andy Powell is coming out of retirement after receiving an invite to play for the British and Irish Lions Legends against Australia in July – the month before his 44th birthday.
The 2009 Lions tourist under Warren Gatland hung up the boots in 2016 due to a recurring knee injury, but he has now been selected on a 32-strong Legends squad consisting of 13 English, eight Irish, six Welsh and five ex-Scottish players.
Powell will be joined on the trip by numerous other former Lions tourists, including Welsh duo Shane Williams and Leigh Halfpenny, Irish front-rowers Shane Byrne and Tom Court, and England Rugby World Cup winner Mike Tindall.
The series against the Classic Wallabies with be a two-match contest, starting in Melbourne on July 24 and finishing in Sydney on July 31.
Chuffed with the chance to tour, Powell wrote on LinkedIn: “Over a month ago, I was presented with an incredible opportunity and since then, I have had numerous heartfelt discussions with my family about whether to embrace it.
“I don’t miss those gruelling training sessions…”
“Reflecting on my time in professional rugby, I fondly remember the exhilarating highs of the sport. I was fortunate in terms of physicality, but now, having retired quite some time ago, I don’t miss those gruelling training sessions that stretched on day after day.
“However, after spending the last month contemplating this new adventure – one that would require me to dive back into intense training, participate in a three-week long stag do, and be away from my family on the other side of the world – but with the support of my family, I realised that opportunities like this are rare at my age.
“It is with immense pride that I announce… I have been selected to join the Lions Legends! I truly cannot wait for what lies ahead. Let the training begin!”