After a monumental weekend of school rugby midweek this week seems rather tame by comparison – but do not be fooled, there is still quality rugby to be seen.
Our focus will be on KCS Wimbledon v St Paul’s School tomorrow but there is plenty else around the country to keep an eye on too.
Around the Country:
The big midweek game in the North of England is Ashville v Woodhouse Grove. Last Wednesday Ashville lost heavily to their Old Boys’ XV and will be out to prove that that result was simply a case of blowing away the cobwebs.
Woodhouse Grove also have plenty to prove after a tremendously successful 2012/13 season, where they reached the Rosslyn Park National School Sevens final, they are keen to show everyone that they are every but as good, if not better, than that side.
In the Midlands Solihull invite Brynteg across the border from Wales in what should prove to be a fascinating game. A 22-17 victory over Old Swinford Hospital was the perfect start to the season for the West Midlanders and they will be keen to build on that momentum.
Switching over to the South East, St Joseph’s College make the trip fro Ipswich to Cambridge to take on The Perse. With excitement already building for their annual Festival in October St Joseph’s will be desperate to get up to speed as fast as possible in order to give themselves their best chance of having a good tilt at that title.
Shiplake College also begin their season tomorrow, led by their fly half Toby Howe, younger brother of England U18 and Wasps winger Tom, they welcome Windsor Boys’ School to town.
Feature Game:
The focus for us though is going to be the KCS Wimbledon v St Paul’s School fixture.
Both sides made excellent starts to the season, KCS beating Abingdon 37-12, whilst St Paul’s thumped Haileybury 44-7, leaving them both hungry for success in the Daily Mail Trophy league table.
St Paul’s also had some success in the Tynedale pre season Schools Festival, whilst they narrowly lost 5-3 to Stowe in the final, victories against Old Swinford Hospital, RGS Newcastle and Fettes really demonstrated their quality.
Victory for either side could be very important for them in the Daily Mail Trophy, particularly given how tough their next fixtures are, KCS play Dulwich College while St Paul’s play Radley, two of the very best school sides of the 2012/13 season.
We are expecting a very tough and competitive game tomorrow, last year ended in a 13-13 draw and whilst a draw is never a likely result a game of similarly tight margins would not be unexpected. With home advantage KCS might just be the favourites but it really could go either way.
AASE:
Following the AASE Festival last week, the AASE League begins in earnest this week. Filton v St Pauls tops the bill after their tremendous showing at the Festival but there is plenty more to keep spectators entertained throughout the league.
Northern Conference Fixtures
Oaklands v Prince Henry’s Grammar School
Gosforth Academy v Worcester 6th Form College
Southern Conference Fixtures
Hartpury v Ivybridge
Henley v Truro College
Filton v St Paul’s Catholic College
It should be an exciting day of schools rugby – to keep up with the latest action, and for live updates from KCS Wimbledon v St Paul’s keep an eye on @FifteenRugbyXV.
