Warwick School head to Twickenham hoping to emulate the history boys

The under-15s go into a repeat clash with QEGS Wakefield as reigning champions, while for the under-18 team and their captain Joe Blake, they have to go a little further back for their source of motivation.

“There’s certainly a desire to replicate the 2007 victory and many of the current team watched that game in person,” said Blake.

“At the time, we could only dream of following in their footsteps but now we are here, I have no doubt we will do everything we can do to bring the cup home once more.

“It is just an honour and privilege to have the opportunity to do so.”

Captain on the day was Charlie Hayter who led the team to a 24-23 victory over Barnard Castle.

Now a centre for London Wasps, Hayter said the most important piece of advice he could give to the players was to not let the experience pass them by.

He said: “It’s obviously going to be a massive occasion for all of the boys involved and the one thing I would say would be to take it all in.

“Very few people get the opportunity to run out at Twickenham with some of their best mates, so it is worth taking a step back to soak up the atmosphere and occasion.”

Director of rugby Mark Nasey was also involved in 2007 and Blake says his experience of winning a Twickenham cup final has been invaluable in the build-up to the match.

“He clearly has a wealth of experience and for us to acquire the knowledge and tactics he has accumulated over the years has been extremely useful.

“His insight into the game is unrivalled and it’s been amazing to learn from him.

“He has shown from the 2007 victory that he has the ability to guide teams to great things, so it’s now down to us to follow his advice.”

The under-18s held on to beat Durham School 20-15 in the semi-final, a feeling Blake describes as “a mixture of pride, relief, excitement and nerves”.

However, in defending champions Dulwich College, they face a much tougher challenge with the London school unbeaten since first entering the competition in 2011-12.

And, while Blake acknowledges Warwick will be underdogs, he has full confidence in his side’s mental toughness.

“Dulwich are a very solid side and their record would probably make them the firm favourites.

“However, to us, they are just another team and I’m sure the mentality from our guys will not change; we go out to win and we leave everything on the pitch.

“The players in our squad expect nothing less from themselves and I have no doubt that this will put us in good stead for the final.

“We want to bring that cup back home.”

Warwick face Dulwich College in the under-18 final at 3.40pm, with the under-15s in action at 12.30pm.

Admission to Twickenham is free.