Rugby enthusiasts and supporters of Cancer Research are invited to attend the inaugural Ashley Scrivens Memorial Match on Sunday, August 25.

The game will take place five years and one day since Ashley, a former Cirencester RFC player, died from skin cancer aged just 24.

Former team mates Will McCarthy and Seb Genillard are rallying round to organise the game which will take place during the Cirencester RFC Beer Festival that takes place over the weekend.

Will and Seb will be part of the so-called Scrivs Select team which will be made up of Ashley’s friends, fellow players from Cirencester RFC, plus a couple of former junior players that he once coached.

The Scrivs Select XV will be playing against the Cherry Pickers, which will include players from Gloucester, including some former professional Gloucester RFC members who are keen to support Ashley's memory and a worthy charitable cause.

The day will be a reflection of the principles that Ashley himself espoused.

"Ash was the life and soul of the party, a great rugby team mate and despite his relatively short life, he helped raise thousands of pounds for charity," explains Will, who is also Cirencester's club captain.

“Many of those due to play in the match also took part in the Ruck Off Cancer endurance cycle ride that Ashley and I set up shortly before he died,” adds Will.

In the months following Ashley's death, Will and four mates undertook a five day, 450 mile cycle and run around 10 Aviva Premiership rugby grounds that raised over £21,000 in their late friend's name.

"Ash was a great friend to many people and his memory lives on with all of us," says Will.

"He is greatly missed by his friends and family, and this memorial match provides us all with a great opportunity to enjoy each other’s company and recount old memories of a great friend," he adds, sincerely.

That the match is coinciding with the club's beer festival is very fitting of a man who loved rugby, his friends and the comradeship they engendered.

"Ash loved the annual beer festival so we’ll be enjoying a few beers with old friends and raising a glass to him after the final whistle," says Will.

The Ashley Scrivens Memorial Match at Cirencester Rugby Club will take place on Sunday, August 25, kicking off at 1.30pm.

For more information, please email Will McCarthy on willmccarthy123@hotmail.com