Heroes call for Long

Long is currently playing for Preston Grasshoppers having switching codes following a long distinguished career in league.

Having begun his career at Wigan, Long enjoyed a trophy-laden spell at St Helens before a two-season stint at Hull. The half-back also made 21 international appearances.

The 35-year-old, though, has now agreed to play for the Northern Hemisphere in the Help for Heroes fund-raiser against a Southern Hemisphere XV after answering a call from Will Greenwood, himself a former Grasshoppers player.

Preston chairman of rugby Mike Bailey told the club's official site: "We are delighted for Sean that he has the opportunity to play at Twickenham.

"It has been an ambition of his to play at HQ for many years and that he can do so in support of such a great charity is superb.

"Obviously this means that Sean misses our important league fixture with Huddersfield this weekend but it didn't even cross our minds to stand in Sean's way when the call came."

Sean Long and more of rugby union's greatest legends will scrum down at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday 3 December 2011 for the 'Heroes Rugby Challenge' supported by J.P. Morgan. The full cost of tickets will go to Help for Heroes and can be purchased from www.ticketmaster.co.uk until 12pm Friday or the Twickenham Stadium Ticket Office - open from midday on Saturday.