The team which copes better with the Twickenham atmosphere will win the Daily Mail Under-18 Cup final tomorrow, believes Durham coach Paul Gerrard.

Durham will have to wait until after the Vase and Under-15 finals before tackling Campion, from Essex, in front of around 1,000 of their own supporters, together with fans from the five other schools involved in Schools Day.

Gerrard, whose decision it was to enter Durham in the event when he came to the school five years ago, said: "We believe if we play well we will win but

I'm absolutely certain that Campion feel the same.

"The side that copes better with what else is going on will come through.

"I can tell them about the atmosphere, but I can't put them in situations that will enable them to become familiar with it. I can tell them how you have got to react, but it has been difficult."

Gordon Muchall, the substitute fly half who helped turn the semi-final against Pangbourne from Berkshire, will start against Campion, who are also in their first final.

He has big occasion experience, having been the only schoolboy on the recent England Under 19 cricket tour to India.

The biggest match the rest of the squad have played in was the semi-final, which they drew 10-10 and won 2-1 on the try count.

It was the fourth time in five years Durham had reached that stage, but their first victory.

Among those on previous losing sides was England Under-21 player Michael Stephenson, captain in 1999. He hopes to make the match, depending on commitments with Newcastle Falcons, with whom he won the Tetley's Bitter Cup a few weeks ago.

Five coaches have been booked, about 650 tickets distributed through the school and the coach added: "We have a very big old boy network down in London and we have had a lot of interest from them."

The team will start their journey to London at 7am today, before sampling the stadium later in the day.

Jason Smithson and Geoffrey Parling have made the England 18 Group squad, with captain Nick Hooper and hooker Richard Oxley making the younger side.

Campion, where former England player Tony Diprose went to school, have made at least the quarter-finals in each of their eight seasons in the competition and have reached the semis four times.

In the quarter-finals Campion came from 22-8 down to win 23-22 with a minute left against St Peter's, Gloucester, and it was just as tight in the semis. There they defeated Royal Grammar School, Newcastle, 17-16, Michael Whitehead again landing the vital kick in the last minute.