A QUARTET from Bromsgrove RFC aim to taste glory at Twickenham on Sunday (May 29), when they play in the RFU County Shield final.

Veteran Jon Taylor, Richard Arnold, Dan Ott and James Lloyd-Jones are part of the North Midlands team which clashes with Hertfordshire in the final.

Despite being part of the North Midlands side that won the Shield in 2004 Taylor, aged 34, is taking nothing for granted.

North Midlands take on a Hertfordshire team that overcame the odds to win a strong southern league pool.

Taylor said: "It's an incredible feeling to step out onto the pitch at Twickenham.

"It's an absolutely massive stadium and can be awe inspiring.

"The pitch is so big, it's a totally different world from what I am use to.

"We don't know much about Hertfordshire but to win that group means they are an excellent side."

To reach the final North Midlands had to win a difficult regional pool, beating Cumbria 34-12, Durham 20-12 and Oxfordshire 34-14.

The team is made up of a mix of players from all over the North Midlands, coming from National League sides such as Stourbridge, as well as amateur clubs like Bromsgrove and Malvern.

Taylor said: "It just shows how strong rugby is in this area.

"On paper the team shouldn't be as good as last season, but the players have all raised their games on the day and really did brilliantly.

"It's great that Bromsgrove has four players in the team.

"Playing a lot with each other is certainly a big advantage.

"Richard (Arnold) and I know each other's game inside and out and that helps me a great deal.

"Dan and James have also done a great job for us."

Bromsgrove's former director of coaching Dave Stout, who guided the Boars to the Midlands Division One, also coaches the team.

Taylor, who will be watched by his father Roy, hinted that Sunday's game signals the winding down of his illustrious playing career for Bromsgrove.

He said: "I don't think I'll be involved in the first team as much next year.

"I have family, social and work commitments so it's very hard to play all the time, although I would still like to be involved."

* On Monday night Bromsgrove District Council's planning committee approved proposed plans by the club to add floodlights to the first team pitch and build a storeroom.

Chairman Dave Wellington said: "This is the first step in a long journey for the club. Floodlights would give the club scope for a lot more, but we are still looking into the matter at the moment."

By Peter McKinney