Northampton Saints move Leicester game to Twickenham to raise funds for retired Rob Horne

Northampton Saints have announced that their Oct 6 fixture against Leicester Tigers will be played at Twickenham to help raise funds for former player Rob Horne.

Horne was forced to retire last season after a serious injury seconds after kick-off when attempting to make a tackle in Northampton’s derby against Leicester at Welford Road, his first game as captain of the club.

The Australia international won 34 caps, playing against the British and Irish Lions in 2013, before moving to the East Midlands, where he quickly became a popular member of the squad. Horne, 28, has since returned to Australia but revealed in a video interview with Northampton that he had full paralysis in his right arm and was suffering from chronic pain.

“I detached the five nerves from my spinal cord which control my shoulder, arm and hand,” Horne revealed. “Everyone that was first on the scene did an incredible job and I am very fortunate to have had that level of expertise from Saints’ and Tigers’ medical staff, and I will be eternally grateful for their help in that situation, because without that immediate response it could have been a lot worse. I have been fortunate to have world-class medical support in this field, but it is certainly a long journey and I am very much in the early stages of that.”

The fixture will be the first time Northampton and Leicester have faced each other at Twickenham since the 2013 Gallagher Premiership final, with Northampton donating £5 on behalf of every season-ticket holder.

Supporters will have the option to make a contribution as they purchase tickets, with prices starting from £20 for adults and £10 for juniors.

A number of fundraising opportunities will take place on the day, with donations going toward Horne’s rehabilitation.

Northampton also revealed that the Rugby Football Union had approached them in the summer about hosting a fixture at Twickenham in order to test out the ground’s new East Stand ahead of the 2018 autumn Tests.

“There was a significant financial incentive for the club to host the game – one we could not ignore – which enables us to maximise the funds we can raise for Rob,” said Mark Darbon, Saints' chief executive.

“This is also a unique opportunity for Saints supporters to experience the brand-new Twickenham East Stand development before anyone else. I hope it’s a great day out for them at the home of English rugby.”

Chris Boyd, Saints’ director of rugby, added: “This is a great opportunity for the club and a great chance for the rugby family to get behind Rob.

“I’m sure the playing squad are all looking forward to playing the derby on one of the biggest stages in the world at Twickenham – no doubt our supporters will create the same special atmosphere we have in Northampton down in London to get behind us.”