DEVON RFU are preparing for a memorable weekend as they have three teams competing in County Championship rugby finals at Twickenham.
On Saturday, their under-20 side, captained by OPMs’ Matt Smale and featuring Plymstock Oaks’ Archie Gray and Jake Parkes, will take on Lancashire in the under-20 final before England’s game against France.
Then on Sunday, both the Devon men’s and women’s senior sides will play in Division Two finals. The men, captained by Oaks’ Lewis Paterson, will take on Cheshire (3pm), while the women, with a host of Ivybridge players in the squad, will play Eastern Counties (5pm).
Paterson, who has previously coached the Devon seniors and under-20 sides, says it is a great accomplishment for the county to have three teams reaching Twickenham.
“It’s great for Devon,” he said. “To have three teams at Twickenham is an amazing achievement.
“I am absolutely chuffed for the under-20s. County rugby is still a lifeline for players.
“There are going to be some top-notch players that will have got overlooked by academies.
“Some of the under-20s probably missed out on academies but now they have something to play for and get the chance to run-out at Twickenham right before England play France. It keeps them in the eyeline of top-level clubs.”
He added: “It is going to be a good weekend for Devon. Hopefully, all three teams win as that would be amazing.”
Cheshire were men’s Division One finalists in 2019, while Devon are the fourth most successful county overall, behind Lancashire, Yorkshire and Gloucestershire.
“I think it will be a really tough game,” said Paterson. “Cheshire have a bit of history and have had previous success, but so have Devon.
“I do think more clubs are buying into county rugby now.
“I think when some counties fell short was when they changed the rules on who can play.
“Many years ago, Devon was pretty much Plymouth Albion and Exeter Chiefs, but now you have the likes of Brixham, Ivybridge, Okehampton, Plymstock Oaks, Exmouth etc. There are such a variety of clubs involved in these Devon teams.
“I think that is probably the same with Cheshire.
“It’s going to be a good experience and it’s great to be going there two years in a row.”
Paterson has a long history of playing county rugby. He represented Cornwall for a number of years when he was at Launceston, before switching back to Devon when he moved to Ivybridge.
However, despite years of playing county rugby, he has never had the chance to play at Twickenham.
“I think there were three times I should have gone with Cornwall,” he said.
“I think when I was 22 and with Cornwall, I played all the games but was then at my brother’s wedding for the final. The following year they got to Twickenham again, but I was away again for the final.
“I was coach last year, but playing there has been a long time coming.
“It was a great experience as a coach last year, but to play this year and be able to captain a good side is just so good. It has come at the very end of my playing career.”
And Paterson admits he would love nothing better than to be lifting a winners’ trophy at Twickenham on Sunday.