Field Marshall

Justin Marshall told skysports.com he expects to be in pain after the Heroes Rugby Challenge.

All Blacks legend Justin Marshall claims he had no hesitation in accepting an offer to play in the Heroes Rugby Challenge despite expecting to be in pain on Sunday. Marshall, who enjoyed a glittering career around the world before retiring 18 months ago, is one of the star names in a Southern Hemisphere team to face their Northern counterparts on Saturday. The specially-organised match - featuring a combination of former stars, rising talent and servicemen - is aiming to raise more than £1 million for the Help for Heroes charity, with all funds raised spent on direct and practical support for those wounded in the line of duty. And the 38-year-old Marshall, who scored 24 tries in 81 Tests for New Zealand, is looking forward to what should be an entertaining encounter. Marshall told skysports.com: "This is a good opportunity to firstly meet up with some former players and coaches - and not just team-mates, but guys you have played against - and to show the strength of rugby in terms of friendships and companionships; but secondly, and more importantly, to raise money for this great charity. "All the players do this on their own accord for a really good cause. It is a great game to showcase some top talent but also the work of the Help for Heroes Charity. It is also a good sign that rugby still cares which is important in this day and age of professionalism.

Intensity

"You just have to look at the calibre of the players - a lot of these guys have really hectic schedules but they are still here off their own backs and are happy to do their bit." Despite having retired from professional rugby in 2010 after a season at Saracens, Marshall has kept involved in the sport. He commentates for Sky Sports in New Zealand, while he pulls on his boots for the Classic All Blacks veterans teams. However the former Crusaders, Leeds, Ospreys and Montpellier ace admits there is no substitute to playing top-level rugby - so is expecting to be in some pain come Sunday morning. "I am regularly involved in charity games still," said Marshall. "We've had a lot of problems in New Zealand with the Christchurch earthquake so I played a game against Australia and then again down in Queenstown at the Rugby World Cup. "I am certainly more involved than I would have thought when I retired. "As much as I try to stay fit - I go running, play squash and touch rugby, go biking - nothing can prepare you for the full body contact you get from rugby. "I went to Bermuda with the Classic All Blacks a couple of months after retiring and I thought I would be the player of the tournament or something but I couldn't believe the intensity - and it will be the same on Saturday. "I know I am going to be sore on Sunday!" Justin Marshall 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.