KRIS Stafford has been reminded this week that being a selector can have its hardships.

“It’s been a nightmare,” admitted the Old Otliensians coach regarding picking the team for the biggest match in the club’s history on Sunday at Twickenham.

They face Tribute Devon One champions South Molton in the RFU Junior Vase final (11am), and Stafford has revealed: “There were some disappointed lads when the 22 was announced and some disappointed lads on the bench.

“But it is about having a well-balanced squad, and we believe that is what will hopefully give us an advantage – that and playing the opponents and not the occasion.

“We have, like Eddie Jones says, finishers who can come on and make an impact, and I’m confident that the trophy will be travelling back to Otley.”

Otliensians, runners-up in Yorkshire Division Three, have also been promoted, and Stafford said of South Molton: “We have talked to one or two of their local rivals and one or two clubs who have faced them in the Vase and they are a big side who are quite forward oriented so we will defend a bit tighter.”

Ensians are trying to treat their trip to HQ as just another game, although Stafford admits that has been difficult!

He said: “We reviewed last weekend’s game against Skipton on Tuesday and created a training session to fine tune a few key areas, while tonight we will preview South Molton as best we can.

“But the whole club is excited for this weekend and it promises to be memorable as we have proven throughout our matches that we have the strength in depth to win this competition.”

Were Ensians to do that it would be a fitting tribute to their popular and long-serving 91-year-old club president George Leach, who has filled just about every volunteer role at the club.

Stafford added: “There will be over 300 spectators backing us (200 in four coachloads and over 100 by other means) and the town is really backing us and have done us proud.”

Old Otliensians squad: Dan Stevens, Tom Howard, Joshua Dyson, Alistair Campbell, Jack Smith, Patrick Phipps, Joe Armitage, Sam Featherstone (captain), Jacob Wragg, Will Cooper, Alistair Booth, Ollie Eaves, Luke Cowdell, Connor Bateman, Alex Murphy (vice-captain), John Offer, Toby Keep, Matthew Taylor,Nick Hesketh,Rob Lofthouse, Rob Arbuckle, Nick Keinhorst.