The Hymers College leg of the HMC North East Schools Super 7s Series takes place today, with fifteen top schools taking part.

The tournament is the final preparation for most ahead of next week’s HSBC Rosslyn Park National Schools 7s, and is therefore a vital momentum and confidence boost for any successful side.

Sedbergh won the competition last year, beating Woodhouse Grove in the final, Woodhouse Grove went on to beat Sedbergh is the Plate final at Rosslyn Park. Sedbergh will be looking to recreate last year’s success at Hymers following a couple of recent wobbles (by their own lofty standards), but first they must get past Ashville College, St Peter’s York, and Worksop College in Group B.

Woodhouse Grove, meanwhile, are in Group C alongside Ampleforth College, Birkdale, and Bradford Grammar School.

The hosts, Hymers College, are in Group A, and after a successful fifteen-a-side season they will be looking for some success on the 7s circuit, particularly with Rosslyn Park just a week away. They face a pair of schoolboy heavyweights in the shape of Barnard Castle and QEGS Wakefield though, as well as the excellent Nottingham High School.

Hymers also supply a 2^nd VII, who reside in Group D. They face a strong North-Eastern opposition in Durham, RGS Newcastle, and Yarm, all of whom could pose a real threat.

One way or another, it should prove to be an excellent day of rugby, but all eyes will be on Sedbergh to see how their rosslyn Park challenge looks likely to shape up.