FORMER Gwent Dragon Rhys Thomas is urging people to get behind this evening's Match for Life at Rodney Parade.

The former Wales rugby international, who is on the waiting list for a heart transplant, hopes the charity game will help raise awareness of the recent change in the organ donation law in Wales.

The prop, who has been on the organ transplant waiting list for a year, will be on the sidelines 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 said: “It’s a good thing to keep emphasising the importance of donation.

“Ideally, the law change should just be the start of a change in the culture in Wales. It’s about keeping life going and helping other people in sad situations.

“If it works in Wales and we can see a sharp rise in donations, then hopefully England will follow.”

The captain of the Transplant Sport team, today, will be Simon Keith, 50, who became the first footballer to play professionally after a heart transplant.

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 Exiles manager Warren Feeney.

The match 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.