The second schools rugby weekend of 2015 looks set to be a busy and exciting one with plenty of top fixtures all around.

Coming off the back of a relatively busy midweek schedule, some teams will have to cope with a touch of tiredness, but with those sides all either riding high after a win, or looking to avenge defeat, they ought to be able to be fighting fit for Saturday.

Prediction Competition

As ever, we begin our weekend preview with our five prediction competition fixtures. You can still enter this weekend’s prediction competition here: Prediction Competition.

John Fisher v Hampton

 

Hampton’s mindset will be key here, after a tough game on Wednesday where they secured their NatWest Cup last 16 place with a 20-8 victory over RGS High Wycombe, Hampton’s focus could be solely on Cup progress, however if they are focused on just the next game, they will be a real handful. With their top players finally back to full fitness and firing well, they are a top class side.

In either case though, John Fisher will be a tough outfit, despite that surprising defeat last weekend. You can be sure that they will have been working hard to give a better account on Saturday, and given some of their performances at the back end of last term, they definitely have the ability to grab the win, particularly at home.

Prediction – Hampton

 

Kirkham Grammar School v Hymers College

 

This is a very exciting game, two teams with among the best records in the country last term going head to head. Hymers lost just once all term, while Kirkham Grammar School went undefeated, a run that included victories away at Sedbergh and Tonbridge.

Kirkham are probably the favourites on two counts though, home advantage, and a slightly tougher fixture list, suggesting that despite similar records they may have just been slightly ahead.

Nonetheless, this should be an excellent game of rugby, and Kirkham will have to be on their game if they want the win.

Prediction – Kirkham

 

Portsmouth Grammar School v Brighton College

 

Brighton will be angry after defeat to Skinners’ last weekend and will be desperate to quickly get back to winning ways away against Portsmouth Grammar School.

Portsmouth have not enjoyed their greatest season, however they are a team that has always been capable of producing and will be looking to capitalise on that Brighton College slip up last week.

Prediction – Brighton College

 

Sir Thomas Rich’s v Solihull

 

Sir Thomas Rich’s ran Millfield close last weekend, so despite losing they will likely be full of confidence when they host Solihull on Saturday.

Solihull are on the up too though winning last weekend against Bishop Vesey’s, indeed Solihull are in fact undefeated since a heavy defeat to Bromsgrove back on the 5^th November, suggesting that they will be firing on all cylinders for this one.

Home advantage could just benefit Tommies though, who may just be slight favourites.

Prediction – Sir Thomas Rich’s, just.

 

St Benedict’s v Whitgift (NatWest Cup)

 

This is a cracking looking fixture, and being a Cup tie just makes it all the more special. The winner will travel to St Joseph’s College in the last 16, so their task is unlikely to get any easier, but there is no sense in thinking ahead for either side – this game is quite tough enough to begin with.

Both sides have had good seasons and home advantage will play into St Benedict’s hands, however a slightly tougher fixture list and what has appeared to be an uncanny ability to step up when necessary might just turn the tide Whitgift’s way, as could the quality from the likes of Matt Gallagher.

It is going to be a superb Cup game, the 2010 & 2011 champions are probably just favourites, but discount St Benedict’s at your peril.

Prediction – Whitgift

 

Around the Grounds

Wilsmlow High return to action after their fantastic cup win on Wednesday, they travel to Calday Grange. Skinners’ are looking to back up their victory over Brighton College last weekend as they travel to Campion, who will be searching for victory after a frustrating defeat to Dartford Grammar last week.

King’s Macclesfield host St Ambrose and will be looking for a return to winning ways after a close defeat to Kirkham last week, while RGS High Wycombe are back in action again after their Cup knockout to Hampton on Wednesday, they travel to Tiffin and will be looking to make a point.

On Friday Wrekin travel to Welbeck for their NatWest Vase fixture.

Schools Rugby Fixtures (predictions in bold):

Prediction Competition:

John Fisher v Hampton

Kirkham GS v Hymers College

Portsmouth GS v Brighton College

Sir Thomas Rich’s v Solihull

St Benedict’s v Whitgift (NatWest Cup)

Other Fixtures:

Calday Grange GS v Wilmslow HS

Campion v Skinners’

Chislehurst & Sidcup GS v Judd

Coopers’ Coburn v St Joseph’s College

Dartford GS v City of London Freemen’s

Ibstock Place v Ardingly College

KES Birmingham v Bishop Vesey’s GS

King Edward’s, Stratford v Bablake

King’s Macclesfield v St Ambrose College

Manchester GS v Audenshaw

QEGS Wakefield v Altrincham GS

Reigate GS v Glyn

RGS Lancaster v Queen Ethelburga’s

Shrewsbury v Loughborough GS

Stockport GS v Birkenhead

Tiffin v RGS High Wycombe

Warwick v Nottingham HS

Woodhouse Grove v Crossley Heath

Friday

Welbeck v Wrekin (NatWest Vase)