TWO Worcester Rugby Club team-mates will put their friendship to one side when they lock horns in tomorrow night’s Modus Challenge Cup at Sixways (7pm).

George Mann and George Bates have forged a strong bond having played in the club’s mini and junior section for 10 years and now link up for Worcester Colts.

But on Thursday evening the duo will be on opposite sides of the pitch, each hoping to lead their school to victory in the annual showdown.

Mann will captain Royal Grammar School Worcester while Bates will skipper defending champions King’s School Worcester.

More than 3,500 fans are expected to turn out for the clash which RGS director of sport Gareth Roots believes will be a “marvellous occasion” for both sets of players.

“There is always talk about there being a rivalry but we have got to remember that this is a great opportunity for these boys,” Roots said.

“The dads (of Mann and Bates) are good friends and whatever happens on the night the main thing is their boy has had a chance to play in front of such a big crowd.”

Mann and Bates both played in last year’s encounter which saw King’s claim a 15-5 victory and retain the trophy for a third successive year.

Owen Harriott-Davies, James Austin, Sam Lowe and Matt Green were also part of the successful team and will line up again at Worcester Warriors’ home ground.

And King’s head of rugby Jonny Mason is expecting another close encounter in what he describes as a “high-pressure” game.

“It’s probably the biggest schools sporting event in the country in terms of the number of people that come to watch a one-off game,” Mason said.

“It is a unique match for the boys and one that lives long in the memory which is why it brings the pressure that it does.

“These games are always tight affairs whatever the lead-up has been for either team.

“It often comes down to which team can handle the pressure better and when the opportunities come their way they have got the precision in their game to take them.

“The boys are looking forward to it but now we need to put our A-game onto the pitch.”

RGS will also field a much-changed line-up with only Mann, Tom Matthews, Tom Berry, Ben Llewellyn and Ben Hawkes having previously experienced the hotly-anticipated event.

Roots said his team have been boosted by the support of ex-England and Warriors scrum-half Shaun Perry who is head of rugby coaching at RGS.

“Results haven’t quite gone to plan in the lead-up to the cup but we are aware this is a one-off game,” Roots added.

“There will be some new players getting their first taste of it but there will be other boys who have played at Sixways before.

“It will be important for those lads to help guide the younger players through and try to draw on last year's experience.

“Having someone like Shaun who has been there and done it does help.

“We need to try to keep the boys nice and calm and get them to treat it like any other match and get the preparation right as well.

“If we do that we stand a better chance of playing well on the night.”