A PONTYPOOL-born Welsh rugby international will be taking on a different sporting challenge after signing up for a fundraising mountain triathlon.

Ian Gough will be participating in the Caderman Mountain Triathlon in support of the blood cancer charity Bloodwise – formerly Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.

The 64-times capped second row and former Newport Gwent Dragon, who retired from rugby in 2015, will be taking to the course in Gwynedd in August next year, which involves a run to the summit of Cader Idris.

“It’s fantastic that Ian Gough is already signed up and encouraging other rugby players and friends to take part in the challenge,” said Geraint Rowlands, a Bloodwise supporter.

“I’ve always thought the event had great potential but I’ve not been able to grow it myself due to work and family commitments. I approached Bloodwise, a cause close to my heart as I myself had leukaemia as a child and asked them to get involved."

The triathlon has two different distance options – a sprint of 600m swim, 37km cycle, 5km uphill run or the extreme half ironman of 1.9km swim, 90.5km cycle, and 13.1mile uphill run.

For more information, visit bloodwise.org.uk/caderman or call 02921 676225.