The draw for the 2015 Schools Champions Trophy first round has been made and it looks set to provide one of the most entertaining schools rugby competitions of the season once again.
The champions of last year’s inaugural competition, Millfield, start with a tough away game against Bryanston, while their opponents in that final, Grammar School at Leeds, start with a tricky away tie themselves, to King’s Macclesfield.
King’s are one of a number of sides to move across from the NatWest Cup to join the Champions Trophy, most sensationally of all the 2012, ’13, and ’14 champions and 2015 runners up, Dulwich College.
Dulwich’s move shows just how big an impression this tournament made last year and with them, and other strong sides like Stamford, moving to this tournament it is only going to get stronger. Both have tough starts though, and away tie at Kings Canterbury for Dulwich while Stamford have to travel to Haileybury.
The other huge addition to the competition are Sedbergh, traditionally one of the strongest teams in schoolboy rugby and runners up in the Daily Mail Trophy in each of the last two seasons. They start away at Bradford Grammar School.
Other famous names to look out for are Barnard Castle away at Bishop Burton, Eton College, with a strong Colts group moving up, at home to Cranbrook, Tonbridge away at St John’s Leatherhead, and a couple of huge fixtures with Marlborough College v Sherborne and Radley College v Oakham.
Welsh side Monmouth also join the competition after a stellar 2014/15 season, they travel to Bristol Grammar while Blundell’s host Canford. Nearby Cheltenham College host Uppingham in another cracking looking tie.
Meanwhile Bedford face a relatively unknown task in Farringdon Community College and Eltham College travel to RGS Guildford, while Epsom College, one of the favourites last year, travel to Eastbourne College for their opener.
All fixtures take place in the week commencing the 14th September and the competition will be redrawn at the completion of each round.
Champions Trophy 1st Round Draw:
Bishop Burton v Barnard Castle
Blundell’s v Canford
Bradford Grammar v Sedbergh
Bristol Grammar v Monmouth
Bryanston v Millfield
Cheltenham College v Uppingham
Eastbourne College v Epsom College
Eton v Cranbrook
Faringdon Community College v Bedford
Haileybury v Stamford
King’s Canterbury v Dulwich College
King’s School Macclesfield v Grammar School at Leeds
Marlborough College v Sherborne
Radley College v Oakham
RGS Guildford v Eltham College
St. John’s Leatherhead v Tonbridge
What do you think of this year’s Champions Trophy draw, who are you early favourites? Do get in touch with your thoughts via @FifteenRugbyXV www.facebook.com/FifteenRugby or via the comment box below.
