As a new school term begins, so the schoolboy rugby machine whirrs back into action after the Christmas break. A little slower and heavier following the festivities maybe, but no less exciting.
Three bumper midweek fixtures kick us off, including a couple of Anglo-Welsh encounters to really whet the appetite.
Millfield School travel across the Severn to play Coleg Sir Gar after their game before Christmas was postponed due the weather.
It promises to be a titanic clash between two real schoolboy heavyweights. Sir Gar are last years Rosslyn Park Sevens champions, having knocked out Millfield in the semi finals, while Millfield have managed to be successful even over the Christmas break.
Their entire first team has either been named in U18 Premiership squads or are up for selected to the Independent Schools Lambs squad, a feat that surely no other school can come close to.
While Millfield head into Wales, Coleg Morgannwg cross the Severn in the other direction as they travel to Solihull.
It has been a mixed season for Solihull so far but after a decent Christmas break they will be raring to start again and begin the new term positively. Morgannwg have benefited from the Welsh Colleges league, but have also had a relatively mixed season. It ought to be a hard fought game, but a win for Solihull would probably be regarded as an upset.
Also in the West Midlands, Old Swinford Hospital welcome Sir Thomas Rich’s as both sides look to reignite the burners.
Finalists in last seasons Daily Mail Cup, Old Swinford Hosptial have not quite lived up to last seasons heights this time around, though they were involved in one of the most exciting games of the season, a 40-39 victory over Colston’s.
Sir Thomas Rich’s meanwhile have been in excellent form this season, blitzing past most that are put in front of them. Defeat to RGS High Wycombe in the 5th Round of the Daily Mail was a blow though and they will need to put that out of their minds on Wednesday.
Fixtures (predictions in bold):
Wednesday:
Coleg Sir Gar v Millfield
Old Swinford Hospital v Sir Thomas Rich’s
Solihull v Coleg Morgannwg
Saturday:
Bolton School v Manchester Grammar School
RGS Newcastle v Bradford Grammar School
Brentwood v Reigate Grammar School
Brighton College v St Olave’s Grammar
Campion v Dartford Grammar
Chiselhurst & Sidcup v John Fisher
Hampton v Portsmouth Grammar
Bablake v John Cleveland
King’s School, Macclesfield v Kirkham Grammar
London Oratory v St Joseph’s College
Mount St Mary’s v Woodhouse Grove
Warwick v Old Swinford Hospital
Ravens Wood v Whitgift
RGS High Wycombe v Judd
