It'll be game on this Saturday in picturesque Aspen, Colorado when the homeside and defending champions the Gentlemen of Aspen host Belmont Shore in the USA Rugby Super League championship game.

This is what they've been playing for since the season kicked off in March, and there'll be added spice to the game as Shore was the only team to beat Aspen during the regular season. On top of that, they're Red Conference rivals, plus they have a history of facing each other in the League's former Western Conference.

When the RSL executive formatted the 2002 season, they couldn't have written a better script for the finale. The champs defending their title against the League's most legitimate challengers.

Aspen, as always, is loaded with firepower from one side of the field to the other and the wealth of experience on the roster is undeniable. The Gents don't just win, they're accustomed to blowing away their opponents, but midway through the season Belmont Shore threw a wrench in the spokes. Shore's forwards won the battle up front and laid the platform for their talented backs to show what they can do with ball in hand. And they did.

After that game, Aspen center Juan Grobler said that it was a wake up call for his team, and he was right, Aspen hasn't lost a game since. The Gents' veteran flyhalf Mark Williams summed it up by saying that for the first time in a long time Aspen will be the underdogs, "You're only as good as the last time you met, so Belmont should be favorites. We quite like the role because it makes you a little hungrier."

On the other hand, Belmont Shore skipper Bevan Leckner believes his side will be the underdogs because they have to go on the road to tackle the reigning champs. "It's a very hard task we've got in front of us to go up to Colorado and play Aspen at home. But we're looking forward to it and I don't think we've got anything to lose."

"It's a tough call," added Shore's player/coach Matt Webber. "We know we've just got to go there, keep focused and go and get it."

Both clubs expect to field full-strength teams as neither side is carrying serious injuries.

Veteran referee Al Klemp will control the match, so a must-see game of rugby is in store Saturday at Wagner Park in Aspen. These teams have proven that they are the top two clubs in the country and now all that's left for them to do is to determine who's the best.