With many schools not returning from half term until after the weekend, the fixture list is a short one.

However despite that there is some great rugby ahead as the ‘Oldest Four’ or ‘Veterrimi IV’ takes place at Cheltenham College.

Originated in 2010, this will be the third such Oldest Four competition. The tournament, as the name suggests, is between four of the oldest rugby playing schools in the country.

Rugby School won the original tournament in Durham in 2010, they dropped out for the following tournament at Sherborne in 2013 with St Paul’s replacing them and joining hosts Sherborne, 2010 hosts Durham, and this year’s hosts Cheltenham College.

St Paul’s went all the way to the final, but it was Durham who claimed the title, going one step further than they had at their own tournament three year’s earlier.

This year the same four schools return, with Cheltenham College hosting.

As ever, the competition takes a round robin format to begin with, on Saturday Cheltenham play St Paul’s and Durham, with both of those schools also playing Sherborne.

On Sunday morning Cheltenham take on Sherborne, while Durham and St Paul’s will also face off. By the end of the morning the table will be complete, and the team at the top will be presented with the AJ Dingle Cup by England star Jonny May at 12.00.

It ought to be, as always, a very special occasion, one steeped in rugby tradition and history, and with plenty of top quality play between four very good rugby schools.

Elsewhere

There are two games taking place elsewhere as St Edward’s Oxford make the trip to The Oratory, while Oakham host Northern Irish side Campbell College.

Schools Rugby Weekend Fixtures:

Oldest Four – at Cheltenham College

Saturday

Cheltenham College v St Paul’s

Durham v Sherborne

Cheltenham College v Durham

Sherborne v St Paul’s

Sunday

Cheltenham College v Sherborne

Durham v St Paul’s

Other Saturday Fixtures:

The Oratory v St Edward’s, Oxford

Oakham v Campbell College