PROUD Bournemouth coach David Dunn believes a Twickenham appearance is a fitting season finale for his club’s county sextet.
Six Lions stars – Frazer Wilford, Alan Manning, Jack Hennings, Sam Hardcastle, Scott Chislett and Simon Lilley – have been named in Dorset & Wilts’ starting line-up to face Surrey in Sunday’s County Shield final.
Bournemouth had a fine league campaign and narrowly missed out on promotion when they lost 23-22 in a play-off at Hertford last month.
And Dunn thinks his players’ opportunity to feature in the showpiece game at English rugby’s headquarters is well deserved.
He said: “I think it is great for the club but also for the players. They have had a fantastic season.
“It has been a long, tough journey for us and we came so close in the play-offs. It will be a fantastic way for them to finish the campaign.
“So many of them are involved with the county and some of them played at Twickenham last year.
“But people like Jack Hennings and Sam Hardcastle didn’t play last year and they will get the opportunity to be involved this time round.
“The players have worked really hard and it is no more than they deserve. I am delighted.”
Dunn attended last season’s final when Dorset & Wilts defeated Leicestershire 36-26 to claim the crown.
But he has opted to remain with Lions at the weekend to mastermind their bid for Bournemouth Sevens Festival glory.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article