A HAMPSHIRE senior side will run out on to the hallowed turf of Twickenham tomorrow – for the first time in more than 50 years.

The proud 22-man squad will compete in the final of the County Championship Shield against Staffordshire immediately after England and Wales players finish their one-off international in the famous stadium.

Hampshire booked their place just a week ago with a tremendous semi-final victory away to Warwickshire, following earlier wins against Dorset & Wilts and Berkshire.

Coach Simon Burns has stuck with the squad that earned the place at Twickers, apart from bringing in Winchester’s Jake Hiscock for his injured teammate Greg Sullivan, who damaged his shoulder.

Burns said: “The players are excited about playing at Twickenham. It does focus your mind once you know you are in a final because everybody does not want to let their team-mates down.”

He added: “I will tell the players to go out and enjoy the experience but not to let it engulf them.

“I have seen players in the Army and Navy who have let the Twickenham experience affect their game.

"It’s a great occasion but they should not let it spoil their ability to play rugby.”

Hampshire last played at Twickenham in 1962 when they lost out to Warwickshire. They have reached, and won, a final since – the Plate competition in 2008 – but that game was switched from the RFU’s headquarters to an Army ground at Aldershot.

The County Shield is open to players at Level 5 and below, with the majority of Burns’ squad coming from London 1 South sides Tottonians, Havant, Gosport & Fareham and National League 3 South-West club Bournemouth RFC.

Totts supply four of the players – 20-year-old scrum-half Harry Dolbear, who is on the bench, experienced second row Ali Ramus, aged 38, Robbie Searle, 29, who is playing at centre, and Pierre-Alex Clark who played a pivotal role at fly-half in the victory over Warwickshire and returns from holidaying in Spain today.

Searle wants to win so he can recount the story to his four-month-old son Oakley, who is too young to be taken to Twickenham.

He said: “No doubt there will be nerves before but it is just great to be involved and we want to get on and win it.

“The Under-20s won their County Shield a few weeks ago and really put some pride back into the Hampshire shirt. That’s the way it should be.”

Dolbear did not manage to get a run-out in the Warwickshire game but hopes to appear at Twickenham.

He said: “I’m aware there’s a chance I may not get on but I’m just keeping my fingers crossed they will give me an opportunity.”

Ramus said: “It’s a great day for us and our friends and family and hopefully we can win and make it even better.”