The U15 Schools Vase final will, as ever, kick off finals day at Twickenham Stadium on Thursday, with Dartford Grammar School taking on Samuel Whitbread.

It is as far as both sides have ever gone in the national cup competitions, though Samuel Whitbread might be able to claim to have done it twice, on a technicality, as their U18s also take the field later in the day in the U18 Schools Vase final, only the second non-fee paying school to reach the final with two age-groups in the same year.

Both Dartford Grammar and Samuel Whitbread have been outstanding throughout this tournament and will fancy their chances heading into this final.

Dartford were sensational against Cardinal Newman at Allianz Park in their semi final, all pace and power that was just too much to handle, ending with a 38-14 victory.

Samuel Whitbread were not far off that level themselves though when they kicked the day off against Arden Academy, winning 28-12 and impressing all around the stadium.

Really though, this game is not about how good these two have been in the rounds leading up to it, nor how good we expect them to be. This game is all about the achievement and the memories.

In even being here these two teams have achieved something special, the list of school sides to have played in Twickenham finals is not extensive, joining those ranks is an outstanding accomplishment.

More than that though it gives a 30 players, or 44 including the replacements, memories that will quite simply never leave them. These are opportunities that come for so very few, and even when they do they rarely come again.

Enjoying it and savouring it counts for so much here. It might sound like a sentimental way of thinking about the game, but school sport ultimately is a pretty sentimental endeavor.

For the winners though, it really will be something very special indeed. Extraordinary really.

Dartford Grammar v Samuel Whitbread: U15 Schools Vase Final – Thursday, 11am, Twickenham

Routes to the Final:

Dartford Grammar (London & South East B)

Semi Final: 38-14 v Cardinal Newman

Quarter Final: 19-14 at Forest School

Last 16: 26-12 v Robert Clack

Round 4: 41-22 v UCS

Round 3: 32-10 v Chislehurst & Sidcup Grammar

Round 2: 48-5 v Hurstmere

Round 1: 50-0 at Beth’s Grammar

Samuel Whitbread (Midlands B)

Semi Final: 28-12 v Arden Academy

Quarter Final: 62-10 v King’s Grantham

Last 16: 12-0 v Saffron Walden

Round 4: 34-5 at St Columba’s College

Round 3: 31-7 at St George’s, Harpenden

Round 2: 50-0 at Hitchin

Round 1: 50-0 v Knights Templar

Dartford Grammar

2019 Best ever performance

Samuel Whitbread

2019 Best ever performance