Barnes is one of five Redingensians players in the Berkshire squad which is once again coached by his club’s Director of Rugby, Mike Tewkesbury.

Irish-born Tewkesbury (pictured right) guided the U20 side to the title two seasons ago, and having already successfully led Rams to promotion this season, a win for the youngsters on Sunday would ensure a unique personal double.

He said: “It was good to win the league title and promotion with Rams was one of my personnel highlights in the game. Having won the U20 title with Berkshire once before, it would now be fantastic to finish the season on a real high.” Supported by fellow Rams coach Seb Reynolds, along with Paul Roberts, Richard Hoskins and Paddy Conlan, Tewkesbury’s side lost to Kent 19-12 in their opening group match before drawing 17-17 with Hertfordshire.

However, they bounced back to beat Devon, 26-16, and Eastern Counties 32-30, to make it through to Sunday’s final.

There is little doubt that Berkshire start as underdogs against last season’s beaten finalists, who have won six of the last 12 finals and devoured Cornwall 63-3 last time out.

“We’re one of the smallest constituents in the country and we’re up against the biggest constituent body.” admitted Tewkesbury. “They are very strong and had a very convincing win over Cornwall and we’ve got to be at out very best.” And the man tasked with the charge of doing just that out on the pitch is skipper Barnes. who has been a part of the U20 squad at Twickenham before, although he did not get on.

“It’s going to be exciting. There’s about six of us that have played together since we started at 14 years-old and it’s good to be with my mates,” he confessed modestly.

“The pitch is amazing and the stadium is amazing. I’ve got a lot of family coming to support and I’m sure the boys have as well. It’s a great place to be and I can’t believe we’ve got there.” Barnes has already had a lot of experience playing top quality league rugby for Chinnor and Henley Hawks before moving to Rams in the middle of the past league season.

Summing up the U20 squad he gushed: “There’s a lot of strength there. We’ve got a good, big, beefy pack and we’ve got a good back line as well. We’re also quite big and quick out wide and we are prepared to attack from anywhere. People say that we are the underdogs and, I guess, we are, but, going into the final, we are definitely up for it.” Barnes is joined in the backs by fellow Rams centre Jodie Ethelstone, wings Rory Garrish and Ruben Norville along with scrum half Jack Hill, who was a member of the title-winning squad two seasons ago when only 18.

Yorkshire’s massive win over Cornwall certainly underlines Berkshire’s need for solid defence on Sunday, especially on the silky smooth Twickenham turf. Six of the tries came from a potent back three of full back Robbie Davidson and wings Rob Rekis, who ran in two tries and man-of-the-match Ben Magee, who claimed a hat-trick.

Captain Josh Burridge, centres Elliott Morgan and Ollie Fewtrell, two, along with lock George Hedgley also got in on the act, while fly half Chris Bell kicked four conversions.

Berks U20: Michael Davies (Maidenhead); Rory Garrish, Dan Barnes (c), Jordan Ethelston, Ruben Norville (All Redingensians); Sam Brown (Maidenhead), Jack Hill (Redingensians); George Banks (Uni. Of Reading), Evan Whitson (Uni. Of Reading), Ryan Smith (Reading); Dieter Kerschbaume (Uni.of Reading), Will Morrison (Loughborough Uni); Finn Walsh (Newcastle Uni), Charlie Pascoe (Newcastle Uni.) Freddie Mills (Coventry Uni.). Reps – Jasper Miranda (Bracknell), Joe Tichband (Warwick Uni.), Tom Ivins, Henry Gray, Paul Vartney, Harith Shalash, Joe Horsham (all Uni. Of Reading).

l BERKSHIRE Baa Baas U18 girls came from behind to topple West Park St Helens 24-17 in the National Cup.

The Baa Baas recovered from a 14-point deficit with a superb all-round team performance to win a thrilling and gruelling encounter, with two tries apiece from Cat McNaney and Abby Dow.

The Baa Baas reached the final by beating both Exeter and the South Sussex Barbarians in a triangular tournament in March.

This was the culmination of a season-long series of festivals and play-offs.

The Berkshire Barbarians team consists of players from Newbury, Reading, Reading Abbey and Slough.

Barnes is one of five Redingensians players in the Berkshire squad which is once again coached by his club’s Director of Rugby, Mike Tewkesbury.

Irish-born Tewkesbury (pictured right) guided the U20 side to the title two seasons ago, and having already successfully led Rams to promotion this season, a win for the youngsters on Sunday would ensure a unique personal double.

He said: “It was good to win the league title and promotion with Rams was one of my personnel highlights in the game. Having won the U20 title with Berkshire once before, it would now be fantastic to finish the season on a real high.” Supported by fellow Rams coach Seb Reynolds, along with Paul Roberts, Richard Hoskins and Paddy Conlan, Tewkesbury’s side lost to Kent 19-12 in their opening group match before drawing 17-17 with Hertfordshire.

However, they bounced back to beat Devon, 26-16, and Eastern Counties 32-30, to make it through to Sunday’s final.

There is little doubt that Berkshire start as underdogs against last season’s beaten finalists, who have won six of the last 12 finals and devoured Cornwall 63-3 last time out.

“We’re one of the smallest constituents in the country and we’re up against the biggest constituent body.” admitted Tewkesbury. “They are very strong and had a very convincing win over Cornwall and we’ve got to be at out very best.” And the man tasked with the charge of doing just that out on the pitch is skipper Barnes. who has been a part of the U20 squad at Twickenham before, although he did not get on.

“It’s going to be exciting. There’s about six of us that have played together since we started at 14 years-old and it’s good to be with my mates,” he confessed modestly.

“The pitch is amazing and the stadium is amazing. I’ve got a lot of family coming to support and I’m sure the boys have as well. It’s a great place to be and I can’t believe we’ve got there.” Barnes has already had a lot of experience playing top quality league rugby for Chinnor and Henley Hawks before moving to Rams in the middle of the past league season.

Summing up the U20 squad he gushed: “There’s a lot of strength there. We’ve got a good, big, beefy pack and we’ve got a good back line as well. We’re also quite big and quick out wide and we are prepared to attack from anywhere. People say that we are the underdogs and, I guess, we are, but, going into the final, we are definitely up for it.” Barnes is joined in the backs by fellow Rams centre Jodie Ethelstone, wings Rory Garrish and Ruben Norville along with scrum half Jack Hill, who was a member of the title-winning squad two seasons ago when only 18.

Yorkshire’s massive win over Cornwall certainly underlines Berkshire’s need for solid defence on Sunday, especially on the silky smooth Twickenham turf. Six of the tries came from a potent back three of full back Robbie Davidson and wings Rob Rekis, who ran in two tries and man-of-the-match Ben Magee, who claimed a hat-trick.

Captain Josh Burridge, centres Elliott Morgan and Ollie Fewtrell, two, along with lock George Hedgley also got in on the act, while fly half Chris Bell kicked four conversions.

Berks U20: Michael Davies (Maidenhead); Rory Garrish, Dan Barnes (c), Jordan Ethelston, Ruben Norville (All Redingensians); Sam Brown (Maidenhead), Jack Hill (Redingensians); George Banks (Uni. Of Reading), Evan Whitson (Uni. Of Reading), Ryan Smith (Reading); Dieter Kerschbaume (Uni.of Reading), Will Morrison (Loughborough Uni); Finn Walsh (Newcastle Uni), Charlie Pascoe (Newcastle Uni.) Freddie Mills (Coventry Uni.). Reps – Jasper Miranda (Bracknell), Joe Tichband (Warwick Uni.), Tom Ivins, Henry Gray, Paul Vartney, Harith Shalash, Joe Horsham (all Uni. Of Reading).

l BERKSHIRE Baa Baas U18 girls came from behind to topple West Park St Helens 24-17 in the National Cup.

The Baa Baas recovered from a 14-point deficit with a superb all-round team performance to win a thrilling and gruelling encounter, with two tries apiece from Cat McNaney and Abby Dow.

The Baa Baas reached the final by beating both Exeter and the South Sussex Barbarians in a triangular tournament in March.

This was the culmination of a season-long series of festivals and play-offs.

The Berkshire Barbarians team consists of players from Newbury, Reading, Reading Abbey and Slough.