After what has felt like a long pre-season build up, the season finally gets underway this week.
On Saturday the action really starts in earnest, with the resumption on the Daily Mail Trophy for most, but before then there is plenty of other action to keep onlookers interested.
Tuesday:
RGS High Wycombe 24-7 Solihull
Yesterday saw the first official game of the season, which was also the first Daily Mail Trophy game of the season. RGS High Wycombe welcomed Solihull and showed that they are once again likely to be a force to be reckoned with as they secured a 24-7 victory to start the season with a bang.
Both are in action again on Saturday. Solihull travel to Rugby School – who are enjoying a high-profile pre-season period with the enhanced exposure that a Rugby World Cup brings them, they also have an exciting new arrival for 6th form in the shape of England U16 international Tom Hardwick, who arrives from Bedford Modern.
RGS High Wycombe face one of the sternest possible tests as they travel to Wellington College, who enjoyed an excellent tour to South Africa over the summer following their outstanding 2014/15 season.
The question on everyone’s lips will be how will they cope with the loss of top class players like Aspland-Robinson, Dolan, and Wilson, to name a few. They should be fine, there are plenty of top class players still in situ. RGS will hope to catch them cold though, and Tuesday’s win sets them up to have a good go at it.
Wednesday:
Cheltenham College v St Peter’s Gloucester
Colfe’s v Gravesend Grammar
King’s Worcester v King Edward VI Five Ways
Sherborne RFC v Bryanston (19.00)
Wednesday afternoon sees the fixtures start to come in thicker and faster. Colfe’s host Gravesend Grammar and King’s Worcester host King Edward VI Five Ways in their traditional season opener. King’s Worcester will be hoping to display the dominance that they managed a couple of years ago.
The big one though will be Cheltenham College v St Peter’s Gloucester, two schools well known for the quality of their rugby and two schools who will want to make a mark this year.
Cheltenham have been getting better and better over the last few years, and with good players and top quality coaching they will hope to step up yet another level this year. Having had the Barbarians train with them this week, they will be hoping to impress in front of their illustrious onlookers.
In the evening Bryanston play a final pre-season friendly against Sherborne RFC. It’s a big year for Bryanston, who after a few truly outstanding seasons had a bit of a tough one last year. With Head Coach Mike Pyrgos retiring, it is not going to be any easier for them, but they will be looking to get some good early season form, from which they should be able to build well.
Friday
Carlisle RFC v Austin Friars
Christ College v Eton College
RHS v Colne Community School
Sutton Valence v Hill House
York RFC v Ampleforth College
Friday includes a couple of big friendlies in the Norht of England as Ampleforth College travel to York RFC and Austin Friars travel to Carlisle RFC>
Elsewhere there are three early season games, Sutton Valence welcome Hill House, and Royal Hospital School, with a fast growing rugby programme, host Colne Community School.
The big one is likely to be Christ College v Eton College. Christ College are always strong, but Eton last year were a top end side and will be hoping to build on that this season. A fast start against Christ College will be vital.
Predictions (in bold):
Cheltenham College v St Peter’s Gloucester
Colfe’s v Gravesend Grammar
King’s Worcester v King Edward VI Five Ways
Sherborne RFC v Bryanston (19.00)
Carlisle RFC v Austin Friars
Christ College v Eton College
RHS v Colne Community School
Sutton Valence v Hill House
York RFC v Ampleforth College
Tomorrow we will have our preview of Saturday’s action, the first full weekend of the 2014/15 season, as well as a quick look at a few fixtures taking place on Sunday.
We’ll also get the first Daily Mail Trophy prediction competition of the season underway along with a few other new developments for you to see.
In the meantime, let us know what you think of our midweek predictions, you can do so via Twitter (@FifteenRugbyXV) or via Facebook (www.facebook.com/FifteenRugby)
By Angus Savage
@AngusSavageXV
