The Westin Dubai hosts 'It's All Up in the Air" an evening of rugby banter with Murphy and a duo of England legends
Murphy-Man of the Match: Former England flyer John Bentley to support Geordan Murphy benefit dinner
Dubai: The Ospreys might have won their game against Leicester Tigers during Saturday's Heieneken Cup game, but it is the English side who were celebrating on the night after doing just enough to top Pool Three and ensure their place in the quarter-finals.
Leicester full back Geordan Murphy was instrumental in a strong, physically testing game and said after the match that he was "looking forward to getting out to Dubai in the next couple of days for some rest and relaxation."
The Ireland, British and Irish Lions and Leicester flyer, who plays at both wing and full-back, was awarded Man of the Match award after the game for his typically belligerent performance, and for marshalling the defence of the Leicester back line.
With Leicester Tigers not scheduled to play next weekend the man who has been described as the "George Best of rugby" will take advantage of the break to come out to Dubai for his testimonial dinner and a couple of days at the Dubai Desert Classic.
"I get on well with Oliver Wilson and a couple of the other guys on the European Tour," explained Murphy by phone from the UK. "So I am hoping they will pop along to the dinner on Thursday as well as our rugby legends to help us put on a memorable night."
The dinner - an official event for the Geordan Murphy and Lewis Moody Testimonial year - will be held at the Westin Mina Seyahi this coming Thursday and is open to all and sundry. Apart from plenty of laughs, a bit of banter and a professional comedian from the UK, an auction and raffle will help to raise funds for a host of good causes including, Hope HIV, The Rainbow Trust, Our Ladys Children's hospital in Dublin and the AGRFU youth development programmes.
Unfortunately former World Cup winners Mike Tindall and Ben Kay who had been expected to appear alongside Murphy will not be able to attend because of international duties. Tindall has been recalled to the Elite squad and is unable to leave their training camp, while Kay has been selected to play in the England Saxons game against Portugal on Friday.
Gareth Chilcott, the former England and Bath front row menace, will now be joined by former dual code England international John 'Bentos' Bentley, who along with Murphy will be sharing a few stories and answering a few questions about their careers in rugby.
The Westin Mina Seyahi Hotel in Dubai will be the venue on January 29, the first night of the Dubai Desert Classic, for 'It's All Up in the Air" an evening of rugby banter with Murphy and a duo of England legends.
The Gala dinner includes a four course meal, complimentary beverages, prize raffles, a sports memorabilia auction and entertainment throughout the night. A few tickets are still available by e-mailing davidskid@hotmail.com or calling 050 4258625
BRIEF BIOS:
Geordan Murphy is an Irish rugby union rugby player who plays full back or wing for the English club Leicester Tigers and Ireland. One of the most gifted and talented players of his generation, he was cruelly robbed of a place in the 2003 Rugby World Cup after suffering an injury in a warm-up match against Scotland at Murrayfield. He did, though, collect his 50th test cap in the final warm-up game before the 2007 tournament and was named in the Ireland squad to travel to France. The winner of five Premiership titles and two Heineken Cups with Leicester Tigers, Geordan is now among the club's senior professionals, adept at full-back or wing. Previously with Naas and Auckland Grammar School, Geordan made his Leicester debut in 1997.
John Bentley was a fast, aggressive winger, who won just four caps for England, with a nine year gap separating his first two appearances from his last. In between time John had enjoyed a successful career in rugby league and became a dual international by representing Great Britain. Bentley's test career in union began in 1988 against Ireland and he also played in the first test against Australia in the summer. He and Rory Underwood scored breakaway tries to put England into an unexpected 13-3 lead, but the Aussies rallied and eventually won the match 22-16. John did not play in the second test defeat, and after the tour signed up for the rival code. When Bentley returned to union in 1996 to play for Newcastle, his performances earned him a surprise call up to the British Lions squad to tour South Africa ahead of more established names. He proved to be a wise selection by the Lions management, for not only did Bentley play well on the field, his tremendous personality greatly aided team spirit. An extremely confident man, John was not afraid to take on the great South African winger James Small in the Lions match against Western Province and outscored his illustrious foe by two tries to one. Bentley then had the honour of playing in the Lions 18-15 victory in the second test when Jeremy Guscott's drop goal sealed the match and the series. After the tour, John had no time to put his feet up for he was immediately needed by England for their one off test against Australia in Sydney. England looked a weary side and lost 25-6, but it was a momentous occasion for John as he donned the white jersey for the first time in nine years. He made one more appearance in a 29-11 defeat by South Africa later in the year before switching back to league again.
Gareth "Cooch" Chilcott is a former international prop for Bath and England. He made his England debut against Australia in 1984 and played for them no less than 14 times. He toured with the British Lions in Australia in 1989, and is now a respected commentator on the game.