After last weekend’s thrilling schools rugby fixture, anticipation is high ahead of this weekend.
Rightly so, as across the board there are some fantastic fixtures with some of the top teams in the country being pitted together and a number of derby games all across the fixture list.
The fixtures are coming thick and fast for a number of schools, with a huge number of schools scheduled to be playing their third game in eight days. That means that a bit of squad rotation is highly likely, and as such could make this weekend’s fixtures even more unpredictable than usual.
Focus On
Abingdon v Rugby
This should be a fantastic fixture, both sides have been playing some outstanding rugby all season, performing beyond what a number of observers would have predicted. Abingdon were beaten by a very much in form Sherborne side last week, but would probably have expected to win that game given their own form, while Rugby were the narrow victors against an Oakham side who have been excellent this year, progressing to the Champions Trophy semi finals. It means that this should be a top fixture, with both sides wanting to prove a point, Abingdon looking to get back to winning ways, and Rugby looking to prove that they are every bit as good as their lofty Daily Mail Trophy table position suggests, both are without doubt excellent sides.
Prediction: Abingdon.
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Bedford v Warwick
Bedford v Warwick is a fixture that does not need much billing, both sides have set the school scene alight at times in recent years. Bedford are the reigning Champions Trophy champions, and progressed this week to the semi finals, while Warwick are a team full of U15 NatWest Cup winners, and are among the favourites for the U18 title this year. Bedford’s progress to the semi finals could have an impact here, they had a huge quarter final against Canford in midweek and there are sure to be some tired and sore bodies, how they respond to that could be key to this game.
Prediction: Bedford
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Brighton College v Epsom College
Yet another massive game between two sides that are among the very best in the business. Brighton have been playing some outstanding rugby all season, including a superb win last week. Epsom meanwhile have also been in flying form, and were outstanding in their midweek Champions Trophy quarter final victory against Blundell’s. The match up should be fascinating, with the power of Epsom College facing up to the artistry of Brighton College, in simple terms. It should be a fascinating game, and could easily go either way.
Prediction: Brighton College
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Eton College v Harrow
A classic encounter between two of the oldest and most prestigious schools in the country. More important in this context though is that both sides are playing some terrific rugby. Eton College reached the quarter finals of the Champions Trophy, and are coming off the back of a terrific win over John Fisher on Saturday, meanwhile Harrow are arguably the strongest side in the country. Certainly they are unbeaten and at the top of the Daily Mail Trophy, so there is no doubt that they are among the best. A win on Saturday would help solidify that top spot.
Prediction: Harrow.
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Hampton v Wellington College
Traditionally this has always been an excellent fixture between two side in reasonably close proximity of each other, and with a number of shared friends in either school. Wellington College are once again one of the very best sides in the country, they have lost just once all season, to the outstanding Whitgift. Hampton meanwhile have dropped a few more, but all have been against other top sides and have been highly competitive fixtures. Wellington will be favourites, but Hampton will take some beating, particularly at home.
Prediction: Wellington College.
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John Fisher v Dulwich College
This is always a great game of rugby, and this year in particular it looks like it should be an excellent game. The two teams appear to be reasonably evenly matched this year, and both have been playing some very attractive rugby this season. Both sides are coming off the back of defeats to top opposition, John Fisher to Eton, and Dulwich to Wellington College. That makes this fixture crucial for both as they look to start some momentum for this second half of the season.
Prediction: Dulwich College.
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Millfield v Blundell’s
After a tough loss to Epsom College in midweek in the Champions Trophy quarter final, Blundell’s will be desperate to bounce back right away. Unfortunately for them they face Millfield, not a side many would choose to face when looking to bounce back. Millfield were in great from last weekend with a convincing win over Llandovery College, but have been up and down at times this year, against a good Blundell’s side looking to secure a morale boosting victory they will need to be up.
Prediction: Millfield.
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Oundle v Oakham
Oundle are coming off the back of a strong win at Stamford in midweek, the Northamptonshire side may not be the force of last year, but they are certainly a tough nut to crack. Oakham are a side very much on the up, their rugby has been sensational this year and they blasted into the Champions Trophy semi finals in midweek with an excellent 23-8 victory over Monmouth. They will be favourites, but in a local derby that only counts for so much.
Prediction: Oakham.
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QEGS Wakefield v Barnard Castle
This is one of the great schoolboy fixtures between two sides who have absolutely fantastic schools rugby reputations. Barnard Castle are perhaps not the force that they once were, but they are a strong side who have been in flying form this season, only losing to Woodhouse Grove and Sedbergh, two of the strongest teams in the country. QEGS are right up there too, and will be the strongest test Barnard Castle have had since Sedbergh. The Wakefield men have also only lost twice, the NatWest Cup finalists have also lost to Woodhosue Grove, as well as St Peter’s York. Expect this to be a fantastic game between two teams with great history.
Prediction: QEGS Wakefield
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St Paul’s v Tonbridge
We have seen a decent amount of both of these sides this year, and both a capable of some excellent rugby. St Paul’s looked good in victory over KCS Wimbledon last weekend, while Tonbridge may have lost but they ran the outstanding Harrow very close indeed, something that few have managed. The Kent men will be the favourites heading into this, but as St Paul’s showed against Bedford, they relish the underdog tag. Tonbridge will want to show their strength though, and losing back to back is something that they will play hard to ensure they avoid.
Prediction: Tonbridge.
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Around the Grounds
There are some fantastic fixtures elsewhere this weekend too. Back to back NatWest Cup champions, Bromsgrove, are at home against Monmouth. It should be a fascinating game, Bromsgrove had to work hard in the Cup in midweek to beat Lawrence Sherriff, while Monmouth were knocked out of the Champions Trophy quarter finals by Oakham.
Cheltenham College v Stowe ought to be another excellent game between two sides who have been playing some outstanding rugby at times this year.
Clifton College have been highly impressive all season, and will be looking to put on another strong display on Saturday against a Bryanston side who must be reeling after a tough defeat to Bishop Wordsworth’s last weekend.
There is a classic fixture between Marlborough College and Radley College, a game that is usually a great spectacle, while Cranleigh are in search of yet more success as they welcome Hurstpierpoint College.
Sherborne had a fantastic victory over Abingdon last weekend, and they have another spectacular looking fixture this weekend as they host a Canford side who will be desperate to get back to winning ways after back to back defeats.
Whitgift travel to RGS High Wycombe for what is usually a very good fixture, Whitgift will feel confident though given their stunning form this year, but RGS is always one of the toughest places to go.
Moving north, there is a huge fixture as RGS Lancaster host the outstanding Sedbergh. Sedbergh’s big recent rivals in the north are Kirkham Grammar School, they travel south once again to face Sir Thomas Rich’s.
Friday
There are two huge games under the lights on Friday evening. Shiplake College host KCS Wimbledon at Henley Hawks, while the very much in form Woodhouse Grove host the 2014 Champions Trophy finalists, Grammar School at Leeds.
If you have any photos, videos, or reports from the weekend’s school rugby, please do send them in via email (writers@fifteenrugby.com ), Facebook (www.facebook.com/FifteenRugby ), or via Twitter (@FifteenRugbyXV).
Schools Rugby Fixtures – Saturday 12th November (predictions in bold):
Focus On
Abingdon v Rugby
Bedford v Warwick
Brighton College v Epsom College
Eton College v Harrow
Hampton v Wellington College
John Fisher v Dulwich College
Millfield v Blundell’s
Oundle v Oakham
QEGS Wakefield v Barnard Castle
St Paul’s v Tonbridge
Around the Grounds
Austin Friars v Giggleswick
Bishop’s Stortford College v The Perse
Bishop Vesey’s GS v Bablake
Bloxham v Merchant Taylors’
Brentwood v Ipswich
Bristol GS v King’s Worcester
Bromsgrove v Monmouth
Cheadle Hulme v Bolton
Cheltenham College v Stowe
Christ’s Hospital v Worth
Churcher’s College v Pangbourne College
Claire’s Court v Reading Blue Coat
Clifton College v Bryanston
Cokethorpe v King Henry VIII, Coventry
Colfe’s v Eltham College
Cooper’s Coborn v Richard Hale
Cranleigh v Hurstpierpoint College
Dartford GS v Bishop’s Stortford HS
Dauntsey’s v Bishop Wordsworth’s
Dollar Academy v Merchiston Castle
Duke of York’s RMS v Ashford
Eastbourne College v Skinners’
Ellesmere College v Calday Grange GS
Emanuel v St Dunstan’s College
Exeter School v Truro School
Felsted v New Hall
Glenalmond v Loretto
Glyn v Gunnersbury
Gresham’s v Norwich
Haileybury v King’s Canterbury
Hymers College v Pocklington
KES Bath v QEH
KES Birmingham v Princethorpe College
KES Southampton v Lord Wandsworth College
King’s Bruton v Monkton Combe
King’s College, Taunton v Taunton School
King’s Macclesfield v Adams GS
Kingswood v Colston’s
Langley v St Joseph’s College
London Oratory v Campion
Loughborough v Nottingham HS
Magdalen College v Aylesbury GS
Malvern College v Dean Close
Marlborough College v Radley College
Merchant Taylors’, Crosby v Wilmslow HS
Mill Hill v Uppingham
Northampton School for Boys v Leicester GS
Pate’s GS v KES Stratford
Portsmouth GS v Seaford College
Prior Park College v Downside
Ratcliffe College v Wellingborough
Reed’s v St John’s Leatherhead
Reigate GS v Sutton Valence
RGS Guildford v Judd
RGS High Wycombe v Whitgift
RGS Lancaster v Sedbergh
RGS Newcastle v St Peter’s York
RGS Worcester v Old Swinford Hospital
Robert Gordon’s College v Fettes College
Royal Hospital School v The Leys
Sevenoaks v Caterham
Sherborne v Canford
Sir Thomas Rich’s v Kirkham GS
Stamford v Berkhamsted
St Ambrose College v Lymm HS
St Benedict’s v Wimbledon College
St Columba’s College v St George’s Harpenden
St Edward’s College v Rydal Penrhos
St Edward’s, Oxford v The Oratory
St George’s College, Weybridge v City of London Freemen’s – NatWest Vase
St Peter’s Gloucester v The Crypt
Stonyhurst College v Ampleforth College
Tiffin v Trinity
Trent College v Bradford GS
Wallington CGS v Latymer Upper
Watford GS v Haberdashers
Wellington School v Queen’s College, Taunton
Windsor Boys v UCS
Wirral GS v Manchester GS
Worksop College v Ashville College
Wycliffe College v Sidcot
Wymondham College v Wisbech GS
Yarm v Durham
Friday
Shiplake College v KCS Wimbledon
Woodhouse Grove v Grammar School at Leeds
