The School 7s draws are arriving thick and fast, and today the draw for the Seaford College 7s was released.

The tournament will see sixteen teams meet at Seaford College on Sunday 29^th January, making this a good early season indicator ahead of the HSBC Rosslyn Park National Schools 7s, for which the draw takes place tomorrow.

The teams are drawn into four groups of four, with the top side from each group progressing to the Cup semi finals. Winners of those will meet in the Cup final, while the losers will play in the plate final.

Second place in each group reach the Shield semis, winners meeting in the Shield final and losers in the Bowl final. Those finishing in third will compete for the Trophy, winners of that semi final are in the Trophy final, with the losers playing in an 11^th/12^th play off.

Those finishing in fourth place will meet in the Vase semi finals, with the winners playing the Vase final, and the losers for 15^th/16^th place.

The hosts, Seaford College, are in Group B. The competition there will be tough, with Epsom College looking like a real threat. Shiplake College were also in Group B, with Shiplake hosting their own tournament the following weekend, you can see the draw for that here: Shiplake 7s. Unfortunately they have had to drop out, with Bognor RFC replacing them. Emanuel complete Group B.

Group A is headed up by NatWest Champions Trophy finalists, Bedford. Their competition includes Lord Wandsworth College, Reading Blue Coat, and a Hurstpierpoint College side who will be keen for an upset.

Over in Group C Haileybury v New Hall looks likely to be the big game, both sides impressed last term, particularly Haileybury who almost made our Team of the Term shortlist. Ardingly College and Churcher’s College compelte the group.

Group D could well be the most competitive of all. Merchant Taylors’ had a fantastic fifteen-a-side season and will want to carry that through, while St Benedict’s are always strong. Dulwich College’s form was not the best last term, but their reputation is strong and their style of rugby last term lends itself very well to 7s. Portsmouth Grammar will be looking to impress too, particularly with their own tournament on the horizon.

Whoever wins, this looks like being a high class early season 7s tournament!