Bradley Wiggins set for rugby sevens role

Olympic champion and Tour de France hero Bradley Wiggins will be taking part in the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens - as a water carrier.

The cycling superstar and Wigan Warriors fan will be supporting the Joiningjack fund-raising team taking part in the international veterans section of the event that runs from November 29 to December 1.

Wiggins pledged his backing to the team of former rugby league stars who are competing to help raise awareness of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy by being the water carrier and announced the initiative at a press conference at Orrell.

Former Wigan player Andy Johnson, who set up the charity after his son Jack was diagnosed with the condition for which there is no cure, will lead the side and he is delighted to have Wiggins on board.

"After everything he's done, he's the man of the moment and it's an enormous boost for us, just as it is with those who are putting the boots on and playing," he said.

The Joiningjack side will be mostly made up of the legendary Wigan team of the 1990s. Johnson will line up with former team-mates including Kris Radlinski, Jason Robinson, Martin Offiah, Denis Betts, Henry Paul, Gary Connolly and Sean Long.

PA