WORCESTER Rugby Club's young players will get the chance to meet New Zealand star Jonah Lomu next week and raise money for a local charity at the same time.

Players from Worcester's mini and junior section have been invited to meet the awesome All Black on Tuesday prior to the Jonah Lomu Dinner Dance at Sixways.

The young players will be asked to make a £2 donation to Acorns Childrens' Hospice Trust as part of the Worcester club's on-going support of the charity.

Acorns' families, staff and supporters have also been invited to meet Jonah at the reception.

"It is great that Jonah is giving his valuable time to Acorns and, at the same time, giving the opportunity to young players to meet the great man," said Sixways chairman Cecil Duckworth.

Jonah will be guest of honour at a dinner-dance at Sixways after the reception where, together with his agent Phil Kingsley-Jones, he will be answering questions from the guests and introducing his new video.

More than 200 tickets have been sold for the sell-out event.

Acorns' third hospice is due to open in Worcester in 2004 and will serve Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire.