A FORMER Newcastle Falcons player and Durham University graduate is leading a charity expedition to the Arctic to play the most northerly rugby game the world has ever seen.

Retired full-back Tim Stimpson will trek 100 miles through snow, ice and temperatures of minus 50 degrees Celsius to the North Pole before captaining a select XV against another side led by former Gloucester winger Ollie Phillips.

It is hoped the Arctic Rugby Challenge, scheduled for mid-April, will raise £300,000 for Wooden Spoon, a rugby-based children’s charity.

The participants recently spent a weekend in Wales preparing for the adventure.

“I’m starting to realise just how hard it’s going to be,” said 41-year-old Stimpson.

“Travelling 100 miles very slowly around a lot of ice and rocks won’t be easy.

“It’s a fantastic charity and a fantastic cause so all the stiff calves and cramping in the night is all worthwhile.

“This is the biggest challenge we have ever gone after with Wooden Spoon and it is going to take a lot from us to make it happen.”

For more information, visit arcticrugbychallenge.org or tweet @wsarcticchallenge