By Richard Hughes BBC Sport in Leeds

2005 Powergen Cup final Bath Rugby v Leeds Tykes Saturday, BBC One, 1355

Sentiment will count for little when Leeds Tykes face Bath at Twickenham in the Powergen Cup final on Saturday.

For the first time in their 10-year history Leeds are in a position to win a trophy, and three former Bath stars are determined to take home the spoils for the Yorkshire side.

Coach Jon Callard, full-back Iain Balshaw and hooker Mark Regan all have fond memories of their time at the Rec, but these days the trio wear the white rose with pride.

Relegation has cast its long shadow over Headingley this season, but recent wins over Leicester and Gloucester have given the side much-needed confidence.

Balshaw in particular has flourished since his move up north, and the Tykes skipper told BBC Sport that despite their place in the table, Leeds are confident of causing an upset.

"The last two games have given everyone here a massive boost and we're looking forward to our day out at Twickenham," he said.

"I wanted Bath to beat Gloucester in the semi-finals so we could play them in the final, and it will be a great honour to captain Leeds against my old side.

"John Connolly and Mike Foley have made Bath into a great team, and we are expecting a very physical and hard game."

If we don't front up on Saturday we will get thrashed - it's as simple as that Mark Regan

While Balshaw looks forward to facing a number of old friends in the Bath ranks, Callard has the added incentive of reminding Bath what might have been.

The Leeds coach appointed Foley as his assistant at Bath in 2001, but the Australian took the reins when Callard departed in acrimonius circumstances less than six months later.

As a player Callard played in four domestic cup finals for the club, winning on each occasion, and he knows what a piece of silverware could do for Leeds.

"I was delighted when Bath made the final as I know what it means to the club's fans to reach Twickenham," he said.

"But this isn't about me, Iain Balshaw or Mark Regan, this is about Yorkshire taking on the best English rugby can offer.

"The club has been running for 10 years now and it's vital that we make that extra step and win a trophy - we need something major to make that next step up."

No-one at Leeds is in any doubt over what lies in wait for them at Twickenham on Saturday.

LEEDS' BATH OLD BOYS Jon Callard (left, above) 1989-2000 (as player) Cups: 4; League titles: 6; Heineken Cups: 1 Mark Regan 1997-2002 Heineken Cups: 1 Iain Balshaw 1997-2004

The Bath pack is widely regarded as one of the best in the country, and will provide a stern challenge for the Tykes' front five.

But if Leeds can match Bath's power and ship the ball out to their pacy backs, then all bets are off.

"The manner in which we have been playing over the past few weeks has been superb," Callard said.

"These guys never cease to amaze me - I think they're without doubt the hardest working side I've ever coached."

The former England full-back leaves the Tykes at the end of the season to take up a position with the RFU Academy, while hooker Regan returns home to Bristol with his family.

An end of an era perhaps, but the feeling is that if Leeds could pull off an unlikely win at HQ, it could be a catalyst for greater success in Yorkshire rugby.

"If we don't front up on Saturday we will get thrashed - it's as simple as that," Regan said.

"But we've got a bit of momentum behind us, and we are determined to enjoy our big day out."

The Tykes' Bath connections have already put the wind up the opposition by booking the West country side's favoured Runnymede hotel the night before the game.