James Haskell won the Six Nations with England and represented his country at a World Cup but he says he wouldn’t have scaled those heights without the Continental Tyres Schools Cup.

Windsor-born Haskell, 38, credits his under-15s Schools Cup success with Wellington College in 2000 as the catalyst for a glittering rugby career which included 77 England caps.

Haskell ranks his schoolboy triumph among his happiest days in rugby and returned to the scene of his earliest triumph to take in this year’s finals at Twickenham.

“It was an amazing experience to come here, we got special shirts for the day, the whole school was there and we’d never won it,” he recalled.

“To become legends within the school, to win in that moment, to have that excitement and feel like an international rugby player, was really special.

“The sights, smells and sounds of the day live on and I always remember it because it was the first bit of silverware I’d ever won.

“That was my introduction to rugby and it made me fall in love with it, so that was a big moment.”

Harrow School were crowned this year’s under-18s Cup winners at the home of rugby, while Radley College claimed the under-15s title at Saracens’ StoneX Stadium.

The day was also a celebration of girls rugby with 30 schools participating in the Girls' under-12 Love Rugby Showcase Festival.

Haskell feels it’s vitally important that young children continue to have the opportunity to represent their school at such an iconic stadium.

“Sport and life is aspirational, you always want to get an opportunity to do what others can only dream of,” he said.

“Playing at Twickenham is a dream scenario. It’s a stadium synonymous with some amazing rugby experiences and for a lot of young guys and girls who want to make it as professionals, this is their first real chance to perform and a first bit of real pressure as well, whether that’s under-15s or under-18s. So to play on this stage is a big moment.

“Rugby needs heroes and an aspirational pathway that attracts kids to get involved, it’s important for people to watch and see what it’s like.

“It’s an amazing occasion where kids have opportunity to become heroes within their school while inspiring others.”

The Continental Tyres Schools Cup is an important part of the age-grade rugby landscape in England, with schools’ rugby often where players fall in love with the game for the first time. For more information visit the Continental Tyres Schools Cup section of the England Rugby Website