Bowral Colts’ coach Craig Clothier has spurred his forward packs into combat mode for the Illawarra District Rugby Union grand final clash with Shamrocks at WIN Stadium tomorrow.

When the whistle blows and the five-eighth takes the kick it will be up to the forwards to come out hard to set the platform for the backs.

The Bowral side will have to overcome the stagefright at the thought of playing in the elite grounds of WIN Stadium.

Clothier said his side had its moments this season but had worked hard to make the grand final.

“It has been a good year, the guys have put the effort in and there were probably more Colts players at training than there was grade players,” he said.

“Many of these players have been here from the second week in January, which indicated straight from the beginning of the year where they wanted to end up.

“We began the year with a game plan and the way we wanted to play the game, the nice thing about it from a coaching perspective is that at the end of the year when it really counts we are playing that game, we are getting everything right now.”

Despite the grades sides not making the finals, Clothier said it was good morale for the club that the Colts were doing well.

With an extra game under its belt, Blacks’ captain Andrew Cummins claimed it should make it easier for his side to get into the ‘groove’ of the things.

“Shamrocks had the week off and they are going to have to jump into the game earlier to get the rhythm of things,” Cummins said.

“It’s going to be a more physical game as far as the forwards are concerned, they match us in the forward so the game is going to be determined at the breakdown and who can get on top straight away.”

He said Bowral would have to watch out for Shamrocks number eight Travis Tressider who might say something to get under their skins.

“Travis will determine whether they will win, as he is the ‘man’ in that side,” Cummins said.

Shamrocks’ coach Brendon Schoupp said the grand final would be a forward-orientated game.