RUNNING out at Twickenham is the dream for every grassroots rugby player and next month it will come true for no fewer than four Old Otliensians RFC stalwarts.

Prop Rob Arbuckle, 41, 23-year-old back-row Joe Armitage, Paddy Phipps, 22, and Toby Keep have been chosen for a NatWest Grassroots Barbarians side to play at HQ this Sunday.

They are part of the NatWest Grassroots Barbarians team, coached by Rugby World Cup winner Maggie Alphonsi, who will pit their wits against another team made up of players from grassroots rugby clubs across the UK.

The club's first team romped to Junior Vase victory at Twickenham last year - so while it won't be the quartet's first experience of the hallowed turf, Phipps is expecting another special day.

"It's one of the best, if not the best, stadiums in the world," said Phipps, originally from Dublin.

"We played there last year and the chance to go back again this year is unbelievable.

"Most don't get the chance to do it once, let alone twice in quick succession.

"I think we'll all be looking to soak it up a bit more.

"Last year was a final and there was pressure, so we'll probably take a few more photos and aim to enjoy it even more.

"It doesn't diminish the experience doing it twice. Walking through that tunnel again and onto the field is going to be absolutely amazing."

NatWest RugbyForce is a long-standing initiative run by the Official Banking Partner of England Rugby.

This year, all clubs that registered for NatWest RugbyForce were entered into a draw for their chance for club players to be selected to join the Grassroots Barbarians.

On Sunday, four teams of the most committed players from clubs around the country will go head-to-head, supported by their clubs, rugby legends and current players to celebrate the grassroots game.

Alphonsi, who led her squad through a coaching day in the north-west recently, said: “I’m so chuffed for all the men and women who are going to have this crazy experience.

“My first time playing at Twickenham was for England against Scotland. I knew what the stadium was like as a fan but to be thrown into it as a player, I was incredibly nervous.

“It’s like Wimbledon for tennis players, Lord’s for cricketers – what NatWest have created is brilliant because it’s all about grassroots. We can’t forget where we all started.

“Clubs are the foundation of the game in this country and that’s where internationals are created. For these guys to go from their local club to the best ground in the world will be incredible.”