Lawrence Dallaglio is a passionate man, but few things have moved him as much as the plight of Britain's Armed Forces serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Young men and women returning home, some with terrible injuries, and the unrelenting news of the casualties of war have moved him considerably.

The predicament facing servicemen and women and their need for the best quality care as they attempt to rebuild their lives is why Dallaglio did not hesitate when he was asked to captain one of the teams at the Help for Heroes Challenge match at Twickenham on September 20.

Dallaglio's will be one of the shortest retirements on record, having played his “last” game, for London Wasps in the Guinness Premiership final victory over Leicester, on May 31, but for that he makes no apology. His competitive instinct has not been dulled. “My role is to make sure it is a great spectacle and give it real value,” he said. “I started off in a non-playing capacity; we all knew that was not going to last very long. I never intended to play many games again, if any, but this is one I cannot refuse.”

The aim of the match is to raise £1million towards the cost of a swimming pool, gymnasium complex and other facilities at the Tri-Services Rehabilitation Centre at Headley Court, in Surrey. Dallaglio can think of no nobler cause. It has touched a chord with the public, too. The RFU has put its full weight behind the match and for the first time has donated the use of its Twickenham stadium free of charge. Sponsors such as Investec, Lord Ashcroft, the deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, and Nintendo have come on board. Now the 82,000 seats have to be filled.

“People are very passionate about this,” Dallaglio said. “Whether you agree with the decision to go to war or not, the reality is it is happening, they are putting their lives at risk to represent our country, to save our way of life. This is an opportunity to come together and make a difference on one day. Rugby has shown its true colours here.

“The men and women affected do not want pity, do not feel bitter, they are not saying, ‘Why me?' They knew what they were getting into. They just want to create some form of normality. They are very humble and it makes you feel very special to be able to help. People look at sportsmen and put them up as heroes, but these men and women are the real heroes. When you play rugby you put your reputation on the line, when they go to work they are putting their lives on the line. There's a big difference. They are very, very special people.”

Dallaglio is busy recruiting a top-class Help for Heroes XV, with some player announcements due shortly. Phil de Glanville is helping him as team manager. Scott Gibbs is also putting his boots on again and Ieuan Evans is the manager of opposition, an International Select XV. It will be a chance for the public to show their appreciation.

“In my rugby career, I have had correspondence with soldiers on the front line talking about the inspiration of sport and what it means to them to be able to sit down and watch England play in the Six Nations or the World Cup from the middle of the desert,” Dallaglio said. “When you read their letters, talking about sportsmen making them proud, you can only recount those feelings back the other way. I say again, they are the true heroes of our country, the unseen heroes.”

The former England captain has also established the Lawrence Dallaglio Foundation, which will support one charity each year. The inaugural event, a dinner in Battersea Park, South London, on November 25, will be in aid of Help for Heroes. Before that, though, is the match itself. “I would urge people to buy tickets,” he said. “When it is full, Twickenham has a fantastic atmosphere. We need to recreate that on September 20, on what will be a memorable day. There's lots happening in my life, but nothing more important than this.”

For tickets, go to ticketmaster.co.uk, or phone 0844 847 2492.