Last year Warwick School had sides in the semi finals of both the U18 and U15 Schools Cups. The U18s unfortunately went no further, but the U15s made it to the final – and then made it one better, going on to lift the trophy at Twickenham.
In fact, they did so against QEGS Wakefield, also semi finalists again this year, setting up the intriguing possibility of a repeat of that final again this year.
For Warwick the NatWest Cup has been the ultimate praise of their rugby quality and coaching quality, as like last year they once again had two sides in the semi finals.
The u18s went one step further than last year, beating Durham last week to reach the final, so the U15s will be determined to repeat their performance last year and make it a full house for the Midlands side.
Wellington College stand in their way though and the 2008 champions have been in sublime form. On their way to the final they have scored an astonishing 241 points in just six games. Even more incredible though is the fact that they have conceded just 13 points. Yes, 13. That includes victories over the likes of RGS High Wycombe, Millfield, and Abingdon. The numbers are simply extraordinary.
The one worry that Wellington College will have though is that they lost to Warwick at the quarter final stage of this competition last year, and both sides have a fair number of players who were involved, meaning that Warwick may have a psychological edge.
That said, if Wellington’s brilliant run of results, and particularly the scalps beaten and the impeccable defence, does not have some bearing on Warwick then that would be a great surprise.
It is certainly one of the most hotly anticipated U15 NatWest Cup ties for a very long time, between two of the very biggest heavyweights playing at this level at the moment.
Trying to pick a winner is a near impossible task; there are so many reasons to back both sides. Do you side with Warwick and their opportunity to win back to back titles and have teams at both age groups in the final, or do you back Wellington with their incredible defensive record and the number of big names they have felled already.
Whichever way it falls though, it is expected to be a fantastic match, one that the artificial surface at Allianz Park will surely only enhance even further.
Who do you think will win? Will Wellington take another big scalp and claim their first title since 2008 or will Warwick make it back to back finals and join their U18s at Twickenham? Let us know via @FifteenRugbyXV or comment below.
Warwick v Wellington College, U15 NatWest Cup semi final, Allianz Park, Saturday 15th March, Kick Off 14.15
