Bedford flanker Sacha Harding mans up

Harding will field an all-star team in a sevens tournament at the end of the season

By Chris Osborne
BBC Sport

A testimonial season at your club is always going to be a memorable one, but Sacha Harding's 2010-11 campaign is set to be even more unique.

The flanker is embarking on his 10th season with the Bedford Blues, in the year where he is also in the running to be Britain's most manliest man.

The competition has been set up to find a face to front the advertising campaign of a new shaving brand, and the winner will supposedly be the pinnacle of masculinity.

A decade of playing rugby is always a good way of boosting your manliness, but what else has Harding got going in his favour?

"I've got a beard so I guess that might help," he explained.

I've got a massive desire to test myself at the highest level. I'll keep working towards that with Bedford and see what happens

Bedford Blues flanker Sacha Harding

"But other than that, it's a bit of fun, I'll go with it and see what happens."

Harding was unwittingly put forward when a female friend entered his name.

But for the former Hitchin Boys School pupil the recognition of a decade's worth of tackles and tries at Goldington Road is a prouder feat.

"I watched the team as a teenager and I was always a supporter and passionate about the team," he said

"It's like a big family down at Bedford, it's a traditional club and it's just a great place to play rugby.

Is this the manliest man in Britain?

"Our supporters are second to none, everywhere we go we've almost got as many supporters as the home team."

Harding joined the Championship side's academy at the age of 17 and, ignoring a small stint in Australia, has been a Blue through and through since then.

Fans may be concerned the celebration could be a send-off. Harding says they have nothing to be worried about.

"There's plenty more rugby in me, I'd like to think I can try and keep up with Paul Tupai [35-year-old Bedford lock] and get another 10 years in," he explained.

"I've got a massive desire to test myself at the highest level, I'll keep working towards that with Bedford and see what happens."

Harding's testimonial will consist of a club dinner in October, a golf day in March and a sevens tournament at the end of the season.