Ever wanted to see at close quarters what makes a two-time British and Irish Lions head coach tick?

Well, here’s your chance because one of the greats of the modern game is lending his support to the annual Wayne Barnes charity day, which this year takes place on Sunday 6th May.

Warren Gatland will be taking time off from his current duties as Wales’ head coach, to lend his considerable experience to Wayne Barnes’ Select XV when they take on Dave Emery’s Foresters’ Invitational XV at Lydney.

It’s the annual rugby spectacular that last year attracted a crowd of close on 2,000 to Regentsholme and raised more than £15,000 for Breast Cancer Now.

“It’s fantastic that someone of Warren Gatland’s standing is willing to come and support our big day,” top international ref Barnes told The Local Answer today.

“This is the fifth year that we’ve held the charity day and it’s getting bigger and better every year.”

Indeed it is and Gatland won’t be short of people to turn to if, in the unlikely event, he needs any advice on the big day.

“Phil Greening, the ex-Gloucester, England and British Lion, will be running the water,” said Barnes.

“Mark Regan will be our sponge man and Andy Goode, if he doesn’t get his boots on, will be our nutritionist!”

On the field there will be plenty of pace for the Foresters’ XV to contend with, because former British Lions Ugo Moyne and Dafydd James are primed and ready to play alongside former Sale and London Welsh second row Dean Schofield.

“We’ve got pace in the backs and weight in the pack,” chuckled Barnes, who added that “old favourites” such as Duncan Bell and Karl Dickson will also be out on the park strutting their stuff.

The game will kick off at 2pm but before that there will be a host of matches involving junior rugby teams, starting from 10am, and after the rugby has finished, the entertainment will run deep into the evening with bands playing on an outdoor stage.

And the big day actually kicks off the night before because Barnes and fellow top referee Nigel Owens will be hosting a Whistleblowers’ Evening at Regentsholme, where members of the audience will be able to quiz two of the people really in the know about all things top-level rugby.

“We’ve already sold over 100 tickets for that,” said a delighted Barnes, who was born and bred just up the road from Lydney in Bream.

These days Barnes and his wife Polly live in London, but coming back to the Forest and raising money for a cause very close to their hearts is very special for them.

“Yes, it is,” said Barnes. “I’m often asked why don’t we play this game in London but Polly and I are both proud Foresters.

“It’s where we were brought up and where I learned my rugby. This game and is very special to us as a couple.”

Polly’s mother Debbie Broderick died from cancer more than 10 years ago and the charity game is the brainchild of Dave Emery, Barnes’s schoolboy friend and these days one of the driving forces at Lydney Rugby Club.

“Dave is a miracle worker,” said Barnes. “He’s got all the bands sorted, people working behind the bars, the groundsmen – everyone giving up their time voluntarily.

“Everyone at Lydney Rugby Club has been really supportive. It’s a great family fun day with entertainment throughout the day.

“Last year there was a crowd of around 2,000 and we’re hoping for more this time.”

And with stellar names like Gatland, Greening and co backing the cause, there’s every chance that he will realise his aim.

Barnes has one more aim of course because last year his team, with England coach Eddie Jones watching on, defeated the Foresters’ XV 71-57 to win the Debbie Broderick Cup and make it all square at 2-2 after four matches.

“Oh yes, we want to win,” added Barnes.

If anyone else wants to donate they can do it at inmemory.breastcancernow.org/debbie-broderick