"It’s a massive occasion for the club and our players."

So says Hucclecote Ladies’ centre Jo Harris as she looks ahead to their showpiece invitational game against Dursley Ladies at Kingsholm on Sunday (1.30pm).

"I’m not going to lie, it’s a huge deal," she told The Local Answer. "To be invited to play at Kingsholm, it’s not something that’s ever happened before.

"I never thought I’d get to play at Kingsholm, it’s only in the last five or six years that women’s rugby has really got to this level."

And it means just that little bit more to 41-year-old Harris because it was she, along with her dad Les, who founded the ladies’ section at Hucclecote some 21 years ago.

Her dad is a former first-team player and the ladies have certainly come a long way since those early days in the mid-noughties. Harris captained them in their first season and she also captained them last season when they won the Women’s NC 2 South West (North) title.

This year they have been playing in NC 1 Midlands West – they finished fifth of eight – and Harris, who intends to play again next season, said: "We’re happy with that, there are some very strong teams in the league."

They were very happy with the previous season too when they finished four points ahead of runners-up Dursley.

Hucclecote won 11 of their 12 league games, losing at Dursley 17-5 in November 2023 before beating them 24-13 in the return fixture in the following March.

Dursley finished the recent campaign in fifth spot but Harris said: "They are a fantastic side, they are great women."

Hucclecote have co-captains this season in second row Leah Hillard and front row Eileen Bowden and Harris said: "Leah and Eileen will lead the team on to the pitch.

"I think there will be a mixture of emotions when we walk out at Kingsholm, we’ll be excited and nervous at the same time.

"But it’s going to be a wow moment, it will be the proudest moment of my rugby career. We’ve achieved so much but this is the icing on the cake.

"We’ve worked tirelessly as a team since our season ended to ensure we’re ready for this game."

Harris’ daughter Arna will be among a large contingent of family and friends cheering Harris on and the six-year-old will at least be familiar with the surroundings.

"I take her to watch Gloucester/Hartpury Women," explained her mum, who coaches Arna in the minis and juniors section at Hucclecote.

As you would imagine, Harris senior, who lives in Brockworth, has grown up around rugby.

"My dad, who is known to many as Badger, used to play on the wing," she said. "His brothers all played too. I used to watch Hucclecote play. I also used to watch Gloucester as well."

One of Hucclecote’s current first-teamers, captain Jon Hogg, is the ladies’ head coach. He is assisted by Pete Salmon and while Sunday will be a big day for them it’s probably fair to say that it will be an even bigger day for front row Gina Stephens.

"It’s her last game for the club," explained ex-Chosen Hill School pupil Harris. "She’s been playing for us for at least 10 years, she’s a fantastic player and a fantastic character.

"But we’ll still see her at the club because she coaches the minis and juniors."

The game between Hucclecote and Dursley is part of a feast of rugby with that match sandwiched between two North Gloucestershire Combination Cup finals.

The Junior Cup final between Matson 2nds and Old Cryptians kicks off at 10.30pm with the Senior Cup final between Matson and Longlevens getting under way at 4.30pm.

It’s all part of a three-day festival of rugby which will also include county championship men’s and women’s matches between Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire at Kingsholm on Saturday.

Gloucestershire’s women’s team includes two Hucclecote players – number 8 Paige Allen and full-back Chloe Barrow – with both set to play against Dursley the following day.

The North Gloucestershire Combination Glanville Cup final between Matson 3rds and Chosen Hill 3rds will take place at Matson on Friday (6pm).