But before the Springboks start running for cover a year ahead of their clash with the British & Irish Lions, the former Neath, Swansea, Ospreys, Wales and Lions legend is only going to play one game before heading back to the stands.
The 37-year-old has agreed to captain the International Select XV against Lawrence Dallaglio’s Help For Heroes XV in the ‘Help For Heroes Challenge Match’ at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday, 20 September.
After an incredible 13-year Test career that saw him play 53 times for Wales, go on three Lions tours, play for Wales in the Rugby League and Rugby Union World Cups and win the Rugby League Challenge Cup with St Helen’s, Gibbs officially hung up his boots on his 33rd birthday on 22 January, 2004.
Injuries finally got the better of him while he was captaining the Ospreys and after he made his decision to quit playing the Welsh region ‘retired’ their No 12 jersey for the remainder of the season in his honour.
Among a whole catalogue of successes, Scott Gibbs will probably be best remembered throughout rugby history for two dynamic moments:
– Hammering the giant Springbok prop Os du Randt into the ground with the ultimate crash ball run in the 2nd Test victory for the Lions in 1997, earning him the nickname ‘Car Crash’
– Dancing his way through the England defence to score the try that denied Dallaglio’s men a Grand Slam and earned Wales a famous 32-31 victory over the auld enemy at Wembley Stadium in 1999
“I know it has been a while since I last played, but I’ve been getting itchy feet for a while and have greatly missed the physicality of the game,” said Gibbs.
“So, when Ieuan approached me to act as his captain for the International Select XV my only question was ‘can I play?’. It really has given me something positive to look forward to, especially as the game is being played for such a worthwhile cause.
“Seeing names like Lawrence Dallaglio, Martin Johnson and Mark Regan on the other side is going to take me back to the days when we were battling it out in the Five and Six Nations – and then teaming up for the Lions.
“Some people have told me I’m mad to even consider putting my boots on again, but how could anyone not want to get fully involved in an occasion like this.
“Lawrence, Martin, Ieuan and myself have been loosely described as ‘national heroes’ in the past for our efforts on the playing field. But whatever we have achieved simply pales into insignificance when compared to what our troops are doing day in, day out in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Rugby players suffer injuries, but they are totally superficial in the greater scheme of things. Those life threatening and life changing injuries that our Service men and women suffer on the battlefield are why we are now prepared to suffer a few more bumps and bruises with one more game.”
Team manager Ieuan Evans has been scouring the world to try to find the “seven or eight eye catching names that will ensure the International Select XV can really compete on the day”.
And to back up his team, which will include six members of the Combined Services XV, Evans has put together a world class coaching duo.
“For such a prestigious occasion as this we need to have a team that can do justice to the occasion. I don’t think I’ve ever been invited to be a part of a worthier cause than this and I am proud to be a part of this fixture,” said Evans.
“I know that any player who can possibly play will step forward because rugby has such strong links to the Armed Forces. In Wales, we still remember some of the great players who fell during the two great Wars in the last century.
“Among the 16 who were killed were Wales’ greatest all-round sportsman, Maurice Turnbull, and arguably Wales’ greatest wing, Johnnie Williams. What they did for their country in 1940-45 and 1914-18, a new breed of heroes and heroines are carrying on today.
“This game is rugby’s way of paying its respects and its dues and that is why I was delighted to be able to pair Ireland’s most successful ever coach, Eddie O’Sullivan, with my former Llanelli and Wales team mate Phil Davies to form a formidable coaching duo.
“Eddie’s pedigree is second to none and he helped the Irish side to win three Triple Crowns, break into the top five in the IRB World Rankings and beat South Africa and Australia.
“Phil did wonders over a decade of service at Leeds Tykes, taking them into the Guinness Premiership, winning the Powergen Cup and leading them into the Heineken Cup. He then steered his former club, Llanelli Scarlets, into a Heineken Cup semi-final.
“We are starting to get the building blocks in place and I expect to announce more names over the next few weeks as we recruit a team that will be both competitive and entertaining.”
One of the first big names on the International Select XV team sheet is that of Wales’ most capped forward, Gareth Llewellyn, who will no doubt be relishing another line-out battle with old adversary Martin Johnson.
The Help For Heroes XV have been able to announce their coaching team today. Former Bath, England and Lions lock Nigel Redman will team up with his former club and country colleague, Jon Callard, in preparing the Dallaglio led team.
