A FORMER Wales rugby international who is on the waiting list for a heart transplant will be among those taking part in a match to raise awareness of organ donation at Rodney Parade on Saturday.

Former Newport Gwent Dragons prop Rhys Thomas, who has been on the organ transplant waiting list for a year, will be on the side-lines for the Match for Life.

Mr Thomas, 33, who won seven caps for Wales, underwent an emergency bypass following a heart attack in 2012.

He says the captain of the Transplant Sport team on the day, Simon Keith, 50, who became the first footballer to play professionally after a heart transplant, serves as an inspiration to him.

He said: “Simon is where I want to be. He’s been through the whole process of having the transplant.

“We’ve quite similar situations. While he was a professional footballer and needed a heart transplant, he got back to such good health that he managed to play at a good level again afterwards.”

Among the famous faces involved are double World Championships and Commonwealth Games medal winner Christian Malcolm, Newport County legends, Michael Flynn and Byron Anthony and the Exiles’ assistant manager, Andy Todd.

Mr Flynn, 35, who is now an assistant at County, said the game will be particularly special with Mr Thomas in attendance.

He said: “I know Rhys well and it’s sad what happened to him. He was at the peak of his career and is still waiting for his transplant now.

“Hopefully, we can raise some money and help find a donor for Rhys, too. I hope we don’t get beat by them but it’s just about raising the awareness.”

The match has been organised Richard Parker, a friend of the anonymous donor from the city, who is involved with Yellow Hat, a non-profit organisation which seeks to use sports to raise money and help individuals in need of support.

It will take place after Newport County’s final home game of the season, against Notts County. Entrance is complimentary.

For more information, visit transplantsport.org.uk, yellow-hat.org.uk or thesimonkeithfoundation.com