COUNTY champions Lancashire travel to Macclesfield on Saturday in a 'winner takes all' clash against Cheshire (kick-off 3pm) for a place in the Bill Beaumont Cup Final at Twickenham a week on Sunday (May 29)

This is likely to be a fierce and close affair between two well-matched and unbeaten sides.

Cheshire had a fine start to the competition with a surprise 18-10 win over Yorkshire in Sheffield before despatching Warwickshire by 36-15 at Coventry on Saturday.

Lancashire opened their campaign with a clear 46-12 win over Warwickshire before a tough 26-15 victory over Yorkshire in very wet conditions at Fylde's Woodlands Ground on Saturday.

Although Lancashire have a rather more illustrious record in this competition over the years, Cheshire have reached four finals and have won the cup on three occasions, most recently by beating Cornwall in 1998.

With home advantage and the availability of more players, they will fancy their chances of denting Lancashire's ambition of a hat-trick of Twickenham wins.

The core home squad is made up of a powerful pack including the experienced props Martin Kent and Gavin Woods, the Stockport lock pairing of Paul Ralph and Dave Marwick, and a back-row including the former New Brighton, Bedford & Doncaster star Adam Kettle.

Their backline includes the very dangerous ex-Macclesfield and Sale Sharks utility back Fergus Mulchrone and Birmingham and Solihull's fly-half Tom Foden, brother of England full-back, Ben.

It is expected that some Macclesfield players such as skipper Evan Stewart will make themselves available for selection now that they are free of National One league commitments.

Lancashire will select from an extended squad although they will be missing a few players.

Head coach Mark Nelson said: “The interesting factor this season is that on Saturday there are two clear Bill Beaumont Cup 'semi-finals' involving four unbeaten teams – Lancashire & Cheshire in the North/Midlands group and Gloucestershire & Hertfordshire in the South/South West section. In previous years it's required mathematical calculations to decide the finalists.

“I understand that Cheshire regard themselves as favourites on Saturday which suits us very well.

“Macclesfield will be a tough place to visit especially as Cheshire have that club's contingent of players available after league action. I have every confidence in the spirit and ability of our squad of players.”