Durham School will be seeking to avenge defeat in the Daily Mail Schools Under 18 Cup at the hands of Old Swinford Hospital last season when the pair meet again today in Durham in the quarter-finals.

Last season the Midlands side triumphed at the same stage and Durham coach Paul Gerrard said: "Our forwards played very well in the previous round against Keswick School and restricted their useful backs.

"Keswick didn't get much ball and had to force the game when they did get their hands on it.

"They scored early on and then at the death, but we dominated the rest of the game and pretty much converted all our chances to claim a 31-12 win.''

And memories of last season? "Their line-out was absolutely outstanding and their scrummage was strong.

"They did us at both set pieces and generally played like a well-drilled club side.

"But that was last year. I don't know how they've changed in terms of players, but I presume they'll be equally well-organised once again."

In fact, the Midlands lads will emerge from quarantine when they travel to Durham after a flu virus, which affected Old Swinford but not their rugby players, much to the relief of head of sport Andrew Coalter.

"The school has stayed open but the bug has been a worry for a boarding school," Coalter said.

"We have a completely different side to last season. We have a smaller pack but our forwards are technically more astute.

"The difference to last season is that they are at home this time and that can be a big advantage."

They travelled down on the morning of the game but we are going up the night before so we are giving ourselves every opportunity."