As the New Year cobwebs blow away, the schools rugby season picks up again, and with comes the first Midweek Preview & Predictions of 2015.
It is not a busy opening midweek, but there are some brilliant fixtures taking place, perhaps none bigger than Hampton v St Joseph’s College at Allianz Park on Wednesday evening.
It ought to be a tight game, Hampton started slowly last term but as their extreme injury crisis cleared up, they became one of the toughest sides in the country to beat, and almost edged out Daily Mail Trophy champions Wellington College.
St Joseph’s are a team for the big occasion though, as their run to their own Festival final proved back in October, they revel in a big atmosphere, and there will certainly be a big atmosphere on Wednesday.
Elsewhere there is an Anglo-Welsh battle as Solihull host Coleg Morgannwg, while Old Swinford Hospital face Sir Thomas Rich’s, in what ought to be a good quality game of rugby. Meanwhile Wallington CGS play City of London Freemen’s, and Wolverhampton GS host Shrewsbury 6th form College.
The midweek rugby is rounded off by a Friday Night Lights fixture between Caterham and Whitgift. On paper Whitgift are the much stronger side, however they might just try to ease their way back into action after the break, while a few of their players may e tired after Academy league exertions over the break, and Caterham are a rapidly improving side. This game will tell them just how much they have improved.
Midweek Fixtures (predictions in bold):
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Wednesday
Solihull v Coleg Morgannwg
Old Swinford Hospital v Sir Thomas Rich’s
Wallington CGS v City of London Freemen’s
Wolverhampton GS v Shrewsbury 6th form College
Hampton v St Joseph’s College (Allianz Park)
Friday
Caterham v Whitgift