England stars Will Greenwood and Jonny Wilkinson have been identified as the Twickenham danger men by Tetley’s Bitter Cup finalists Newcastle and Harlequins tomorrow.
Club duties, rather than Test match commitments, take centre stage for the Six Nations heroes this weekend.
But they will still play to another 70,000-plus audience, despite Quins struggling near the Premiership basement and Newcastle currently no higher than mid-table.
Ticket sales represent a monumental marketing triumph, especially as the final takes place three months earlier than normal and finds itself wedged between England’s home Six Nations appointments with Italy and Scotland.
Sponsors Carlsberg-Tetley’s initial four-year deal expires this season, but talks are continuing with the Rugby Football Union about a possible new three-year arrangement. An announcement is likely to be made next month.
‘‘People want to watch cup rugby it has a considerable following,’’ said Carlsberg-Tetley’s sponsorship manager Gareth Roberts.
‘‘We are in negotiations with the RFU for a further term, another three years, ideally.
‘‘We’re aware of where the cup will fit in next season, and we are positive about English rugby’s premier knockout cup competition going forward.’’
Twickenham-based Quins, with eight-times Bath cup winner Richard Hill at the coaching helm alongside Mark Evans, find themselves literally crossing the road for a first final appearance since 1993.
And Newcastle are seeking cup glory for the north east, 24 years after Gosforth last managed it, courtesy of a 27-11 victory over Waterloo.
Quins, captained by Australian World Cup winner David Wilson, will rely on the likes of Ireland skipper Keith Wood and England’s Jason Leonard to provide considerable, essential big-game experience.
Newcastle feature Inga Tuigamala, Gary Armstrong and Doddie Weir in that department, but it is Quins centre Greenwood and Falcons fly-half Wilkinson who stand out as potential match-winners.
Greenwood’s memorable Millennium Stadium try hat-trick against Wales three weeks ago underlined a rich vein of form and confirmed his rugby rejuvenation since rejoining Quins from Leicester last summer.
Wilkinson though, commanded all the headlines just six days ago, posting a Six Nations record 35 points as Italy were crashed 80-23 to an outstanding England side.
With both players currently on fire, alarm bells have been ringing in opposition camps.
‘‘Will Greenwood is a real danger to us,’’ said Falcons wing Tuigamala, one of seven starting line-up survivors from Newcastle’s 29-19 cup final defeat against Wasps two years ago.
‘‘He can create gaps and score tries, making him the main threat among their backs.’’
As for Wilkinson, Quins chief executive Evans added: ‘‘He is a world-class player.
‘‘People tend to place so much focus on his goalkicking and tend to forget he is a great passer of the ball, with excellent acceleration.
‘‘He is the best fly-half England have produced for decades.
‘‘We are going to have to look at our discipline and field positions, because if you give away penalties to this guy, then you know what is going to happen.’’
Unlike last season, when Wasps benefited, tomorrow’s victors are not guaranteed automatic Heineken Cup qualification, but that should not diminish the occasion.
‘‘The cup final is always a bit special,’’ said Hill, whose pass to Stuart Barnes set up the extra-time drop goal that saw Bath pip Quins 15-12 in a 1992 Twickenham thriller.
‘‘It’s an event where your supporters can have a big day out, almost as a reward for them going to watch you week in, week out.
‘‘The pace of a final is always quicker than a normal league match, so we will need to be ready for that from the start.’’
Twice cup winners Quins knocked out European champions Northampton and Premiership leaders Leicester en route to the final, making home advantage count each time.
And Newcastle have not ventured far from Kingston Park either, following an away triumph at Rosslyn Park by seeing off visitors Bristol, London Irish and Sale in successive rounds.
‘‘This is effectively an away game for us,’’ said Falcons skipper Doddie Weir.
‘‘Our away form this season has not been that good, and we know that we will need to work and work.’’
The final has been billed as a battle of wits between Newcastle’s exciting young backs Wilkinson, Jamie Noon and company opposite the hardened experience of Quins’ key men like Wilson, Wood and Leonard.
But while Wilkinson’s remarkable ability and temperament should prove enough to guide the Falcons home, the real victory will be achieved if rugby union’s FA Cup-equivalent can continue to flourish next season and beyond.
If either the sponsors or RFU require a glowing reference, then they should look no further than Wallabies star Wilson to obtain one.
‘‘Until I arrived to play in England, I had no real idea how important and how much prestige the Tetley’s Bitter Cup has,’’ he said.
‘‘Winning the trophy would rank right up there with all the other victories I’ve had. Cup success would be a very gratifying experience.’’
Teams for Harlequins versus Newcastle, Tetley’s Bitter Cup final, Twickenham, Saturday, 3pm.
Harlequins: R O’Neill, N Greenstock, W Greenwood, N Burrows, B Daniel, P Burke, M Powell, J Leonard, K Wood, J Dawson, G Morgan, S White-Cooper, P Sanderson, D Wilson (capt), R Winters.
Replacements: P Richards, C Chalmers, B Gollings, B Starr, T Fuga, A Codling, R Jenkins.
Newcastle: D Walder, M Stephenson, J Noon, T May, V Tuigamala, J Wilkinson, G Armstrong, M Ward, R Nesdale, M Hurter, S Grimes, D Weir (capt), R Devonshire, A Mower, J Jenner.
Replacements: H Charlton, L Botham, G Maclure, I Peel, M Howe, H Vyvyan, R Arnold.
Referee: Ed Morrison (Rugby Football Union).
Touch judges: Steve Lander and Brian Campsall.