All proceeds from the game will go to the Matt Hampson Trust Fund. The Leicester Tigers and England U21 prop suffered a serious neck injury at an England U21s training session at Franklin's Gardens in March last year and remains paralysed from the neck down.

The match sees this year’s Guinness A League champions take on the Six Nations and Grand Slam champions and promises to be an exciting encounter. As well as playing to raise funds for their injured team mate, the players have the added incentive of selection for the U21s IRB World Championship the following month. With all the England side and a number of the young Leicester team, including Matt Cornwell who also led England to their Grand Slam victory, and lock Tom Croft named in the 40-strong England training squad, coaches Jim Mallinder and Dorian West will announce their final squad later next week. Cornwell, who has captained both teams this season, may make history by appearing for both sides on the night.

England head coach Andy Robinson, who will be at the match, said: "I hope a huge crowd go to Welford Road on May 16 to support the Matt Hampson Challenge Match, which should be an excellent contest between a Leicester Tigers Development XV and the England U21s side.

"The aim of the evening is to help raise important funds to help with Matt's ongoing care. Like many others who have visited Matt, I've been hugely impressed by his positive attitude and determination. It's also heartening to see the support he has been receiving from his family, Leicester Tigers, the PRA, the RFU and the game as a whole. I'm looking forward to the evening and I hope both sides give the crowd an entertaining game and that a good sum is raised for Matt's trust fund." 

U21s coach Jim Mallinder said: “This game is a fantastic opportunity for all the England squad to play a game for their team mate especially as Matt was such an integral part of the squad last year.

“This will be a completely new experience for them to play in a totally different game where playing rugby is about more than the result.  

“The plan is for Matt Cornwell to play a half for both teams so Jordan Crane will captain England U21s. Jordan did an excellent job of leading England U19s through their Grand Slam last year and he’s proved himself a key member of our squad this year.”

Tickets for the match cost £8 seating, £6 standing and £4 for juniors and are available from the ticket hotline on 08701 28 34 30 or on the gate.

ENGLAND U21s SQUAD

Forwards:
Richard Blaze – Worcester Warriors
Chris Brooker – Bath Rugby
Sean Cox – Sale Sharks
Jordan Crane – Leeds Tykes
Ian Grieve* - Bristol Rugby
James Haskell – London Wasps
Michael Hills – Sale Sharks
Mark Lambert – NEC Harlequins
Phil Nilson – Leeds Tykes
Will Matthews – Gloucester
Tom Mercey - Saracens
Alex Rogers – NEC Harlequins
Tom Ryder - Saracens

Backs:
Nick Abendanon – Bath Rugby
mike Brown – NEC Harlequins
Ryan Davis – Bath Rugby
Paul Diggin – Northampton Saints
Ben Foden – Sale Sharks
Matt Riley – Sale Sharks
Sam Robinson - Worcester Warriors
Nick Runciman – Worcester Warriors