The draw for the 2016 Gullivers Sports Travel U18 Surrey 7s has been made, with 52 teams split into thirteen groups for this year’s tournament on Wednesday 9th March.

The competition is one of the highlights of the school 7s season, and is seen as one of the biggest indicators of form ahead of the HSBC Rosslyn Park National Schools 7s the following week. Last season the competition was live streamed for the first time, meaning that thousands were able to watch throughout the day, right up to that magnificent final between Wellington College and Millfield.

This year will see the competition live streamed once again, and with the tournament now being sponsored by Gulliver’s Sports Travel, it is set to be even bigger and better than ever. The champions, Wellington College will be looking to retain that superbly fought for title, which helped inspire that run to the Rosslyn Park title as they collected every available trophy along the way.

They are drawn in Group J, where their opponents will include Colfe’s, St Peter’s Gloucester, and RGS Guildford, while their opponents in last year’s final, Millfield, are in Group A along with Bishop Wordsworth’s, Eton College, and Tiffin.

As ever, the winners of each group progress to the last 16 knockout stage, along with the three best runners up. This though is the Surrey 7s, so of course there is a Surrey element to the competition too, as always. That comes in the form of the Surrey Plate, which is composed of a knockout between the best 8 placed Surrey based teams from the group stages who have not progressed in the main draw.

As ever, the range of schools involved is extensive, and features some of the most traditionally competitive in the country. It also features a wide range of the AASE Colleges, Henley College in a tough Group B alongside St Joseph’s, Weston College, and Glyn, St Paul’s Catholic College in an eye watering Group C with St Benedict’s, Campion, and Caterham. SGS Filton College are in Group D along with the ever strong John Fisher as well as Wimbledon College and Wallington County Grammar.

Group F sees AASE newcomers Beechen Cliff drawn with St Joseph’s Festival winners Hampton, St Paul’s, who beat Wellington College in the long form of the game, and Emanuel. Finally the mighty Hartpury College reside in Group H along with Skinners’, Bishop’s Stortford High School, and St George’s, Weybridge.

Welsh giants Coleg Sir Gar join the impressive Cranleigh, John Hampden, and Isleworth & Syon School in Group E, while Dulwich College, often unable to field a full side here in recent years due to NatWest Cup commitments but at full strength this year, are in Group G along with Richmond Upon Thames College, St Olave’s Grammar, and group favourites Seaford College.

Group H contains last year’s Colts champions at Rosslyn Park, Reigate Grammar, as well as KCS Wimbledon, Worth, and Bryanston. Group K meanwhile has the ever-strong Whitgift, Harrow, Hurstpierpoint College, and Reed’s, a tough pool indeed.

Group L looks equally tough, Trinity, Brighton College, and St John’s Leatherhead all join Langley Park – this one really could come down to mathematics. Group M, finally, contains Oakham, Epsom College, London Oratory, and the very impressive Berkhamsted.

Overall the competition looks as exciting as always, it is usually one of the real highlights of the 7s season. With the location being the Richmond Athletic Ground, it is a superb place to come and watch, but with the live stream now feeling like a permanent fixture, the tournament has become accessible even for those unable to attend, and is all the better for it. We can’t wait!

For those wishing to stay in touch through Twitter on the day, #Surrey7s is the best way to stay in touch and get your responses noticed!

Surrey 7s Draw:

* Surrey Affiliated Schools