Trophy on the line as St Mary’s Old Boys bid for perfect farewell on Community Cup finals day
St Mary's Old Boys are heading to Twickenham for the first time in more than 20 years
©St Mary's Old Boys
RFU Community Cup Finals Day takes place at Allianz Stadium this weekend, and St Mary’s Old Boys are among the clubs hoping to lift silverware at the home of English rugby.
If you’ve not heard of St Mary’s, just ask Joe Joyce, Jake Polledri and Callum Braley what the club is all about.
Those are just three of the professional players from the last decade who began their youth rugby journey with the Saints.
The Bristol-based side take on Smiths Rugby in the Counties 2 Championship Final, which kicks off at 1pm on Saturday.
The occasion marks St Mary’s first visit to Twickenham in more than 20 years, having lost to Hertford in the Powergen Intermediate Cup Final in April 2003.
This weekend, they’ll hope to go one better in front of more than 250 travelling supporters who will be making the journey to West London.
“To be able to play at Allianz Stadium and represent our club and the Bristol Combination is incredible,” chairman Steve Cooke said ahead of the game.
“It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our players to perform at the home of rugby and an experience they will never forget. I know that, whatever the result, they will represent our club with honour and pride.”
Saturday’s opponents, Smiths RFC, are familiar rivals. Both clubs compete in Counties 2 Tribute Ale Gloucestershire. St Mary’s won both league meetings this season [62-45 away and 43-14 at home], but head coach Ryan Price knows that will count for little come finals day.
“Cup finals take no notice of previous games,” he said.
“Smiths are a very dangerous side with a strong pack, quick backs and a gameplan that has dominated our league over the last four years.
“Having lost the cup final last year, and after being beaten by us twice in the league, they will be highly motivated.”
Price is preparing for his final match in charge of St Mary’s. Having joined the club as an assistant coach in 2019, he stepped up to head coach at the start of the 2024/25 season.
The final will also bring the curtain down on the playing career of club captain Andy Plummer, with the Saints determined to send both coach and captain off on a high.
Chairman Cooke paid tribute to Plummer ahead of his Allianz Stadium swan song.
“Our captain Andy Plummer has been one of the most loyal, hard-working and committed players the club has had in recent years,” he said.
“He will finish as our top points scorer once again this season, and his versatility throughout his career has been a huge asset to the club.
“He is a St Mary’s Old Boys legend and someone we will miss greatly.”
Cooke also praised departing head coach Price.
“Ryan has made a significant impact on the club as head coach,” he said. “He has not only delivered results on the pitch, but off it he has built strong relationships with local universities and worked to create better pathways for juniors progressing into senior rugby.
“We would love to send him off with the victory he deserves.”
With a trophy on the line, a coach and captain saying farewell, and hundreds of supporters making the trip, St Mary’s will head to Allianz Stadium determined to make the occasion one to remember.
The 2025/26 RFU Community Cup Finals - Allianz Stadium
Saturday 23 May 2026
11:00 - Men’s Counties 3 Championship Final: Coney Hill RFC v Hucclecote RFC
13:00 - Men’s Counties 2 Championship Final: St Mary’s Old Boys RFC v Smiths Rugby
15:00 - Men’s Counties 1 Championship Final: Novocastrians RFC v Cheshunt RFC
Sunday 24 May 2026
11:00 - Junior Cup Final: Sandal RFC v Richmond FC II
13:00 - Intermediate Cup Final: Old Albanian Saints RFC II v Ivybridge RFC
15:00 - Championship Play-Off Final: Old Albanian Saints RFC v Richmond FC
