OLD rivals North Midlands and Warwickshire will begin their annual tussle for the historic Sable's Head trophy when they clash at Under-19 level at Droitwich tomorrow (7.15pm).

The Sable's Head, a mounted antelope's skull, is one of the most unusual trophies in rugby and was presented to the Midlands Colts team by the touring Cape Town and Stellenbosch Universities side from South Africa in 1957.

The trophy was presented to the winners of the Midlands Colts Championship until the competition was superseded by the 18-Group Clubs Championship six years ago.

But North Midlands and Warwickshire have maintained the tradition of playing county U19 rugby and the Sable's Head is now awarded to the aggregate winners of the two matches between the counties.