The showpiece occasion pits Wasps against arch-rivals Leicester, who won four Premiership crowns in a row between 1999 and 2002.

England World Cup stars Martin Johnson and Neil Back will make their final appearances before retirement, while Tigers coach John Wells, like Gatland, has a new job to fill this summer when he joins the Rugby Football Union’s national academy.

“I think it will be emotional for lots of reasons,” said Wasps rugby director Gatland, formerly the Irish international boss.

“I am happy we have achieved something in getting to Twickenham for the final. If we hadn’t got there, I think the season would have been a huge disappointment for Wasps.”

John Hart will feature at blindside flanker for Wasps – a result of injuries sustained by Irish star Jonny O’Connor and Tom Rees – with Joe Worsley moving to openside and Dallaglio filling his usual number eight position.

Wells, meanwhile, hopes to confirm England forwards Graham Rowntree and Lewis Moody among the Leicester replacements after fitness tests today. Both players have been sidelined because of knee injuries.

Leicester beat Wasps 45-10 less than two weeks ago, a result which gave them top spot in the Premiership and a week off prior to the final.

It continued Tigers’ dominance over Wasps this season, following two Heineken Cup pool stage wins and a Premiership draw.

“The last game between the two clubs was a physical battle in which we were dominated,” conceded Wasps coach Shaun Edwards.

“That cannot happen this weekend, or we will lose. If we win that physical battle, we have the skill and execution to get beyond second and third phase and cause them trouble with our attack.”

The final will be preceded by a lunchtime kick-off between Saracens and Gloucester, who contest this season’s wildcard final and England’s last remaining Heineken Cup place next term alongside Leicester, Wasps, Sale Sharks, Bath and Leeds.