With the weekend done and dusted, it is onto another very busy midweek of schools rugby.
There is plenty of NatWest Cup action, the completion of the first round of the Champions Trophy, several games against touring opposition, and some other fine looking fixtures outside of all of that too.
Tuesday
Tuesday sees a NatWest Cup tie between New Hall and Ipswich as well as two big touring games. Shiplake College welcome Australia’s Ignatius Park School, while Hurstpierpoint College host New Zealand’s Massey High School, which ought both to be tremendous occasions.
There are also some excellent regular school fixtures. There is an all Welsh battle between Christ College and Monmouth, Monmouth will be looking to extend their good form there, while back over the bridge Clifton College host Colston’s for what should be a good game of rugby. Bishop’s Stortford College host an in form Sevenoaks side too.
Wednesday
Wednesday is packed full of fixtures. It features the final game of the Champions Trophy first round as Marlborough College host Sherborne. It is a classic schools fixture and should be an excellent game of rugby. In form Sherborne are probably favourites, but this Champions Trophy competition has a habit of producing outstanding games of rugby and this ought to be one of them.
In the NatWest Cup Christ’s Hospital ought to progress as they host Weald, while Sandringham and Sir John Lawes also meet.
There is another touring game as Cranbrook book themselves in for a tough afternoon as they host the New Zealanders, Tauranga Boys School.
Elsewhere Stowe v RGS High Wycombe should be a fascinating game, these are two top outfits who will be stinging slightly after defeats at the weekend – expect a full blooded encounter here.
The same should be expected between Barnard Castle and RGS Newcastle. Barnard Castle are probably favourites but after a heavy defeat to Sedbergh at the weekend, RGS Newcastle will be desperate to prove a point.
King’s Macclesfield will look to get back to winning ways against Cheadle Hulme, and St Ambrose College v Altrincham GS should also be a good battle.
Sir Thomas Rich’s will look to get back to winning ways against RGS Worcester, which should be another excellent game, as should Caterham’s trip to Tiffin.
Thursday
Thursday sees one of the top derbies of any year, the Oxford derby between St Edward’s Oxford and Radley College. Radley are probably just favourites but this should be a great game of rugby and a tight and keenly contested game.
Trent College v Rugby ought to be similarly good, while Cranleigh will look to build on their magnificent weekend victory as they take on Bede’s.
There is another tour game, this time with Bristol Grammar School playing host to Sydney Grammar School, while along the road Prior Park host Beechen Cliff.
Canford host last year’s surprise package, Dauntsey’s, and Haileybury are also in action again, they host Verulam.
All in all, it should be an excellent few days of rugby once again!
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Schools Rugby Midweek Fixtures (predictions in bold):
Tuesday
Bishop’s Stortford College v Sevenoaks
New Hall v Ipswich – NatWest Cup
Shiplake College v Ignatius Park (Australia)
Hurstpierpoint College v Massey High School (New Zealand)
Christ College v Monmouth
Clifton College v Colston’s
Wednesday
Marlborough College v Sherborne – Champions Trophy
St Ambrose College v Altrincham GS
Cranbrook v Tauranga Boys School (New Zealand)
King’s Macclesfield v Cheadle Hulme
Gordon’s v Salesian
Rydal Penrhos v Hilbre High
Portsmouth GS v Oaklands School
Shrewsbury v Shrewsbury 6th form College
Stowe v RGS High Wycombe
Christ’s Hospital v Weald – NatWest Cup
Tiffin v Caterham
Hymers College v St Peter’s York
The Crypt v St Peter’s, Gloucester
Bloxham v King Henry VIII School, Coventry
RGS Lancaster v MTS Crosby
Harrogate GS v Yarm
Barnard Castle v RGS Newcastle
Sir Thomas Rich’s v RGS Worcester
The Perse v St Joseph’s College
Sandringham v Sir John Lawes – NatWest Cup
Sexey’s v Wells Cathedral School
Wilsmlow HS v Stockport GS
Culford v Felsted
Thursday
St Edward’s Oxford v Radley College
Craneligh v Bede’s
Prior Park College v Beechen Cliff
Canford v Dauntsey’s
Trent College v Rugby
Bristol GS v Sydney GS
Haileybury v VerulamÂ
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