The 2017 Reigate Charity 7s takes place on Sunday at Reigate Grammar School.

This year the charities supported are the Changing Lives campaign, supported by the Reigate Grammar School Foundation, and the Seb Adeniran-Olule Charitable Fund, set up following the tragic death last year of former Wellington College, Whitgift, England Age-Grade, and Harlequins player.

On the rugby side of things it looks like being a very exciting day. Unfortunately Harrow will not be there to defend their title, as they are over at the Marches 7s defending that title – Harrow were serial winners last year.

Nevertheless, the competition looks hot. There are 32 teams split into eight groups of four, with the winner of each group heading into the Cup quarter finals, second to the Plate quarters, third to the Shield, and the bottom side of each group will play in the Bowl quarter finals.

The hosts, Reigate Grammar School, are in Group A alongside Caterham, Cranbrook, who won last year’s Bowl, and Trinity.

Group B features Sherborne, who are possibly favourites in this group, as well as Culford, Hurstpierpoint College, and NatWest Cup quarter finalists Judd.

Group C features a heavy hitter in the form of Epsom College, they are joined by City of London Freemen’s, RGS Guildford, and John Fisher, who are yet to get really firing on the 7s field this season.

In Group D Felsted might have been favourites but they will more than likely send a 2^nd VII as their 1^st XV are playing in a NatWest Cup semi final on Saturday. They are joined in that group by Dulwich College, London Oratory, and Wimbledon College.

Group E looks like a real blockbuster, Brighton College will be the favourites in this one but they will doubtless be challenged by very strong sides from Eastbourne College, Berkhamsted, and Wisbech Grammar.

Last year’s Plate winners, Whitgift, are in Group F and will fancy their chances of making it to the Cup this year. It will be far from easy, with St John’s Leatherhead posing a particularly tough challenge, as will Reed’s and Sutton Valence.

Group G looks fascinating. Wellington College are probably the headline act, already they have picked up titles this season and they are always one of the best sides around. They could well be favourites for the title, yet their challenge to even get to the Cup stage will be huge as they have a group that includes last year’s Shield winners, Hampton. Hampton have won back to back titles, first their own competition and then Wednesday’s Middlesex 7s, so they will arrive full of beans, their clash will be huge. The group also contains Portsmouth Grammar and Royal Hospital School, both of whom can cause problems.

Finally to Group H, where Tonbridge will probably start as favourites and could challenge for the title. The competition will be hot though, St Paul’s and KCS Wimbledon will have their sights set on the Cup, too, while Wallington County Grammar will hope to nick a couple of results.

There is also a Girls competition running in tandem with the Boys, twelve schools will compete, split between three groups of four. There is a Cup, Plate, and Shield available, with the top finishers in each group plus the best 2^nd place side reaching the Cup semis, the remaining two 2^nd placed sides and the top two 3^rd place side reaching the Plate, while the remaining 3^rd placed side and all of the bottom finishers in the group compete in the Shield.

Hosts Reigate are in Group A along with Oundle, Caterham, and Wisbech Gramar, while in group B Christ’s Hospital, Epsom College, Pangbourne College, and Royal Hospital School compete. Group C contains Wallington County Grammar, Maidstone Grammar, King Henry VIII, and Blesses Hugh Foundation.

Overall it should be a superb competition, one of the biggest of the 7s season on a weekend that will leave us with plenty of clues as to which sides to look out for at the HSBC Rosslyn Park National School 7s.