PLAYING sport with one of your all-time heroes would probably make you feel like you are on top of the world.

But when Hampshire rugby coach Jon Ingarfield takes on former British and Irish Lions star, Shane Williams, he very nearly will be.

Jon will climb three quarters of the way up Mount Everest as part of a team of 30 before attempting to play a game of rugby at a staggering 21,000 feet.

If they succeed, the group will set a new Guinness World Record for a rugby match played at the highest altitude – beating the previous record of 19,000 feet.

And Jon, from Fair Oak, believes the record will never be broken.

The 34-year-old said: “The team say there is nowhere else higher that you can play because it gets too steep.

“So it should be the record forever – that’s quite exciting.”

Jon, who runs a coaching franchise called Rugby Tots, first heard about the event at a national Rugby Tots event.

The father-of-one, who also coaches Eastleigh U18s, immediately decided to get involved.

He said: “I always wanted to something like this.

“I used to do things like Tough Mudders but I got a back injury so I was looking for that next challenge.

“It really appealed to me.”

As well as taking part in a world record bid, Jon will also get the chance to play against and alongside four well-known professionals.

These include Ex-England Sevens star Ollie Phillips, former England Women’s captain Tamara Taylor and former British and Irish Lions hooker Lee Mears.

But for Port Talbort-born Jon, it will be Welsh record try scorer Shane Williams who he will be most looking forward to sharing a pitch with.

Jon said: “He’s a hero of mine, so it will be interesting.

“I wouldn’t mind putting in a tackle on him.”

Once the team reach their destination, they will mark out a pitch to official length and width and set up goal posts and flags.

In order to complete the record, the team will be joined by an officiated referee.

They will then play a 14 minute long rugby sevens match and a separate touch rugby game.

Mount Everest summit Mount Everest summit

Jon said: “They’ll be lots of substitutions.

“Because of the altitude the experts say even a 10-15 metre run will leave you breathless.”

Despite that, Jon is looking forward to it.

He said: “It’s such a unique thing. I can’t wait.”

The challenge, which takes place in April, is being run in aid of Wooden Spoon, a charity which aims to bring rugby to disadvantaged children.