Harlequins star Nick Evans believes Saturday's Aviva Premiership final against Leicester will be "a humdinger".
Harlequins No.10 ready for a real 'humdinger' at Twickenham
Harlequins star Nick Evans believes Saturday's Aviva Premiership final against Leicester will be "a humdinger".
Quins are aiming to become only the sixth different club after the Tigers, Newcastle, Wasps, Sale and Saracens to secure Premiership silverware.
Evans and company finished top by a point from Leicester after the 22-game regular league season, but Tigers won a memorable contest 43-33 when the teams last met in April.
"Finals are funny things," said New Zealand fly-half Evans, who was this week named the RPA players' player of the season.
"It could be a tight boring final, but I hope it's not because you have two teams who like to play rugby. Both teams have the mental belief they can win it, so it should be a humdinger.
"We are under no illusions about the size of the task ahead of us. They (Leicester) have a finals pedigree, and we need to be right on top of our game."
While Quins are Premiership final rookies, Leicester have appeared in the last seven Twickenham domestic showpieces, and they booked another appearance by dethroning champions Saracens a fortnight ago.
Quins will once again look to Evans as their chief tactical controller and dead-eye goalkicker, and his battle opposite Leicester's number 10 could prove crucial.
Outstanding
England international Toby Flood and teenager George Ford, whose superb semi-final performance helped account for Saracens, are both vying for the pivotal role.
Flood is battling to overcome an ankle injury that has not only threatened his participation this weekend, but also in England's three-Test South Africa tour next month.
"He (Ford) convinced me in the semi-final. He had an outstanding game," Evans added.
"A semi-final is almost harder than a final with all the pressure. He kicked well and he controlled the game well.
"The big thing for him is that he has experienced players around him. He will be fine.
"Whoever starts, they are both great players. I look forward to the challenge. It is a great stage - it is where you test yourself.
"I think a good thing is that we have the blinkers on. We stay in our own world, and as long as we stick to our processes, hopefully we will give ourselves a chance.
"We will prepare at The Stoop, and then when we are ready to go, we will walk over the A316, walk though Twickenham's West car park and through the gates.
"It will be a great walk, and you have to soak up the occasion.
"Win or lose on Saturday, this season has made it a lot easier. It has been really special, and to win would be a crowning moment."
