FORMER Great Britain star Garry Schofield OBE has become director of rugby ahead of BARA's (British Asian Rugby Association) tour of Italy.

The association, which was formed in Bradford by ex-England international Ikram Butt, will take on the Federation Italian Rugby Football League (FIRFL) XIII in Rome on Saturday, May 16, with the White Ribbon Trophy at stake.

The match, and a possible meeting with the Pope, forms part of BARA's support for the White Ribbon Campaign, a global initiative made up of men speaking out against violence towards women and girls, as well as encouraging inter-faith dialogue.