FIFTEEN former rugby captains will help put Wales at the forefront of ground-breaking international lung cancer research.

Money raised by the Brains SA Captains Climb team – the captains and coach Warren Gatland will attempt to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro in September – will allow the Wales Cancer Bank to start collecting lung cancer samples.

These samples will in turn be available to leading lung cancer research scientists around the world.

The Brains SA Captains Climb will also improve care for patients diagnosed with lung cancer in Wales and support home-grown research projects.