PLAYING at Sixways will provide an “extra edge” to this year’s Challenge Cup as Worcester's King’s School and Royal Grammar School renew their “friendly rivalry” tomorrow night (7pm).

About 1,000 fans are expected to turn out to see the first competitive 11-a-side football match at Worcester Warriors’ home.

The annual fixture was previously at Evesham United’s Jubilee Stadium.

King’s School are defending champions after a 1-0 victory in 2016 and coach Jon Sarriegui says his players are looking forward to performing at the 12,024-capacity stadium.

“There has been quite a bit more interest generated compared to previous years when we were at Evesham,” said Sarriegui whose side will be captained by Cameron Mathewson.

“It is always a big game for them and playing at Sixways for the first time has added a little extra edge to it.

“Playing at such a big stadium is not something they will be used to as they normally play on the school fields with 50 people watching.

"We are in relatively good form. We started fairly well this season, winning the first eight games, but have stuttered since.”

RGS director of sport Gareth Roots admitted there was a “sense of excitement rather than apprehension”.

Prior to last year’s defeat RGS had beaten King’s for three successive years but Roots insisted the prospect of gaining revenge was not on his players’ minds.

Gary Leeds will manage the team who will be skippered by Tom Beardmore.

“There is a friendly rivalry,” Roots said. “But this is an opportunity for the lads to turn around and say they have played at Sixways so that has been more of a focus for us than the result.

“We have had a good season overall so will just go out there and play a similar type of football to what we have been trying to play all season.”