LYDNEY'S brilliant victory over Moseley, 24-25, last Saturday has earned them a mouth-watering and money-spinning draw against Saracens.
The London side were last season's winners of the Tetley's Bitter Cup and runners-up to Newcastle in the league. Lydney's rugby manager Gordon Sargent described them this week as possibly the strongest club side in the world.
They have a complete international line-up with stars from all over the globe.
"They are the complete side - fully professional, vastly experienced and totally committed. But they can only play 15 at a time and I'm sure Rhodri Lewis will have his team suitably prepared.
"No-one expects them to win - a lot didn't at Moseley last Saturday - and no-one expects them to do more than try their best. They did that at Moseley and I'm sure they will do it against Saracens. There is a lot of pride in the team," he said.
Sargent's own playing career at Lydney and Gloucester involved many great and famous victories but he could recall none more exciting than the victory at Moseley.
"It was a great win in an outstanding game of rugby away from home and against a team from a higher division. The lead changed hands seven times and Lee Osborne kicked the winning penalty with seven minutes to go. I'm going to do number seven in the Lottery this week," joked Sargent.
The game has to be played on the weekend of January 30/31 and Lydney officials were meeting this week to discuss details.
"We've staged some big games in the past but this will almost certainly be the biggest ever sporting event ever to be staged in the Forest, " said Sargent.
Before the cup game Lydney face a huge league challenge with the visit of Henley to Regentsholme this Saturday - a match coach Rhodri Lewis has named as one of his "target" victories.
Henley are second in Lydney's league and pulled off a comfortable Tetley's Bitter Cup victory over Division One opponents, Bedford. They play Gloucester at Kingsholm in the next round.
"It all adds up to a bit more rugby spice this Saturday. A lot of our players reckon Henley to be the best side we have played all season and there will be a lot of interest. They will be on a high and keen to keep up their promotion challenge and they will not want Lydney to knock them over before they go to Kingsholm. It will be another big game which should attract a big crowd," said Sargent. The kick-off is at 3pm.