Matt Dean could call time on his rugby playing career on one of the greatest sporting stages in the world on Saturday.

The 41-year-old heads to Twickenham with Smiths for a showpiece Papa John’s Cup final and he admits it may well be the last time he laces up his boots for a competitive match.

“It could be my final game,” he told The Local Answer. “I’ll have to see how my body is in pre-season, but if it is my last game, what a way to go out.”

This is Dean’s 24^th season in senior rugby and the one-time Old Patesians and Cheltenham North three-quarter has never played at the home of English rugby before.

Nor have Smiths, who take on Kent club Old Elthamians in the Counties 2 Championship final 12 months after winning the Papa John’s Cup Counties 2 South Plate at Dings Crusaders.

Winning the Counties 2 Championship final in south west London would be just that bit more special, of course, and Dean said: “If I’m selected it will be a dream for me to play at Twickenham.

“It will be a bit emotional but I'll be very proud to play in front of my family and friends.”

And he’ll be even prouder if Smiths can win the trophy. That won’t be easy because Old Elthamians were a National League One club as recently as 2021 before being forced to drop down the divisions due to financial problems.

They won 21 of their 22 league games on their way to winning Counties 2 Kent this season and Dean said:  “They’ve had a great season and we’re expecting a tough challenge.

“But it’s a sign of the progress we’ve made at Smiths that we’re playing these types of games against big clubs.

“We’re playing the best of the best at our level but we’ll be fully focused, we want to bring that trophy back home with us.”

Smiths, the Counties 2 Gloucestershire North champions, are travelling down to London on the morning of the game and will be taking plenty of support with them.

Their fans have been with them throughout their cup run, most recently when they beat Sheffield club Dinnington 31-29 at the Prince of Wales Stadium five days go.

Injuries to a number of their backs meant Dean played fly-half that day and he said: “This year I’ve played 10, 12 and 15.

"Probably 15 is my most natural position but whatever is best for the team, I’m happy to play anywhere. I back myself to play in any position.”

Dean is in his third season with Smiths and he’s enjoyed every minute.

“It’s been brilliant, we’ve had a lot of success and I’ve enjoyed being part of it all,” he said. “The coaches and the players have created an enjoyable environment, that’s what it’s all about for me.”

It’s clear it's something that Dean is reluctant to give up, and even though he says Saturday may be his swansong, it wouldn’t be a total surprise if he was lining up for Smiths in their first game next season.

“If I’m fit and healthy at the start of pre-season, we’ll see,” he said. “It all depends on the body. I’ve got a very supportive family but it doesn’t get any easier keeping up with the younger players.

“I’m really lucky at Smiths because the younger players keep me on my toes.

“It’s very different from the 90s and early noughties when there were a lot more older players, there aren’t many players in their 40s still going now.

“But you’re a long time retired. I’m very fortunate, I’ve got friends my age who are no longer able to play.”

Dean says that Saturday’s result will have no bearing on his decision whether it will be his final game.

And if it is his final day in the sun, given the recent weather it is likely to be a very hot one.

“Hopefully not," said Dean. "It’s quite an early kick-off, 11am, so hopefully the stands will provide some shade.”

Dean was in the stands at Twickenham in 2001 when Old Patesians, with whom he played all his junior club rugby, overcame Blaydon 25-24 in a thriller in the RFU Intermediate Cup final.

“That was a great day,” he said. “Those memories stick with you.

“Saturday’s going to be a great occasion, it will be the proudest moment of my rugby career.”

Other selected Papa John’s Cup finals – Saturday, Regional 2 South Plate (at Dings Crusaders): Drybrook v Sutton and Epsom; Counties 2 South Plate (at Dings Crusaders): Cheltenham North v Honiton. Sunday, Counties 1 South Shield (at Dings Crusaders): Gordon League v Ashford.