Chiswick director of rugby Adrian Hoile is quietly confident that his side can upset Maidstone when the two sides meet in the London and SE Intermediate Cup final on Saturday.

The Dukes Meadow side reached the regional final by beating Crowborough and, in effect, are in the quarter finals of a national cup with the final held at Twickenham.

But the unbeaten London 2 SE side are the overwhelming favourite, but Hoile believes the underdog tag will suit his Chiswick side.

He said: “We are the underdogs and the pressure is on them. It is better for us when we are the underdog. We have a squad who have a point to prove.

“They have said they expect to beat us. We have a different side to the one in the last round.”

Maidstone coach Paul Hathaway believes his side are much stronger than Chiswick and should win, comments which have only served to motivate Hoile and his side.

He said: “Rugby is a funny game. You are brave to make predictions when anything can happen – the bounce of the ball could go against you. We are quietly confident going into this game.

“We want to be the best we can be against a club who should be two divisions above.”

Chiswick were at the same stage seven years ago but lost in the national semis at Doncaster Phoenix.

But Hoile is not letting what happened then affect his side ahead of the trip to Kent.

He said: “I was not around at the club at the time. It seven years since the club his got to this level.

“We have got one of two players in the squad for this weekend who were there last time. We are not going to let history dictate how we feel.”

Chiswick are in second place in London NW 2 and the league remains the primary goal for the season, although cup glory is fully on their mind.

Hoile said: “We are doing well in the league. Our progress means we have to play every weekend.I know the boys are very focused with making it to Twickenham.”

He then joked: “It is just up the road so we could save on costs.”