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
