After a rather reduced weekend last year as a result of the weather and a number of waterlogged pitches, this weekend of schools rugby brings with it plenty of excitement.

No wonder, not only (hopefully!) will there be plenty of fixtures going ahead, but there are also some exciting contests between some of the strongest schools around.

Two fixtures in particular stand out, Warwick v John Fisher, and Whitgift v St Benedict’s.

All four schools have a strong rugby history, and a history of competitive games between them. Warwick and Whitgift probably head in to these two games as favourites after impressive terms before Christmas, but John Fisher and St Benedict’s are very capable of turning these games their own way.

There is plenty to be excited about elsewhere too, starting on Friday night at Hazelwood as Stowe meet Portsmouth Grammar School in the NatWest Cup after last week’s encounter was postponed.

On Saturday QEGS Wakefield are in action at Altrincham Grammar, while two Team of the Term contenders, Hampton and Kirkham Grammar School, are also in action, Hampton against Ravens Wood, and Kirkham at home to Hereford Cathedral School.

Sir Thomas Rich’s will be looking to back up their brilliant midweek victory over Millfield when they travel to Solihull, and things will be equally competitive as Skinners’ host Campion.

St Joseph’s College host Coopers Coborn and King’s Macclesfield travel to St Ambrose College. Another NatWest Cup contender, RGS High Wycombe, heads to Tiffin.

In from Reigate Grammar travel to Glyn and the excellent Woodhouse Grove are on the road against Crossley Heath.

It all looks set to be a great weekend of schools rugby, and with Saints v Worcester in the U18 league, plus two Lambs games, there’s plenty of other U18 rugby to be excited about too!

If you have any photos, match reports, or videos from the weekend’s rugby, do please send them in to writers@fifteenrugby.com

Schools Rugby Weekend Fixtures (predictions in bold):

Friday

Stowe v Portsmouth GS (NatWest Cup)

Saturday

Altringham GS v QEGS Wakefield

Audenshaw v Manchester GS

Bablake v KES Stratford

Bishop Vesey’s GS v KES Birmingham

Chislehurst & Sidcup GS v Judd

City of London Freemen’s v Dartford GS

Crossley Heath v Woodhouse Grove

Glyn v Reigate GS

Hampton v Ravens Wood

John Cleveland v King Henry VIII, Coventry

Kirkham GS v Hereford Cathedral School

Leicester GS v Nottingham HS

London Oratory v Northampton School for Boys

Millfield v Cowbridge Comprehensive – Cancelled

New Hall v St George’s, Harpenden

RGS High Wycombe v Tiffin

Skinners’ v Campion

Solihull v Sir Thomas Rich’s

St Ambrose College v King’s Macclesfield

St Joseph’s College v Coopers Coborn

Warwick v John Fisher

Whitgift v St Benedict’s