Jamie George Leads Rugby Stars in Charity Cricket Match for MND Association
Jamie George, the England and Saracens hooker, showcases his love for cricket by captaining 'Team Rugby' in a charity T20 match against Somerset's top professionals. Scheduled for 19 August at the County Ground in Taunton, the match aims to raise funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association. George, who typically plays rugby, revealed that cricket is a regular part of his life. "We [Saracens] do play [cricket] - our warm-up for every rugby session - summer, winter, snowing, rain - is one hand, one bounce," he shared with BBC Radio Somerset. The rugby team includes notable players like Owen Farrell, Elliot Daly, Ben Earl, and Max Malins. Lewis Gregory, the Somerset captain, will lead the cricketing side, which features Jamie Overton and former all-rounder Peter Trego. The idea for the match originated when George met Somerset’s Tom Kohler-Cadmore at a T20 game earlier this season, leading to a collaboration for Gregory's testimonial year. Despite their rugby prowess, George admits that the cricket field presents a different challenge. However, he highlighted that both Daly and Earl have cricket backgrounds, with Daly having played for Surrey as a teenager. The match also serves a significant cause, as both George and Gregory are motivated by the impact of MND, which has affected former players in both sports. George emphasized the importance of raising awareness and finding a cure, stating, "It's a horrible disease... we want to try to do everything we can to raise as much awareness and hopefully find a cure."
Source: BBC Sport - 2026-07-31