The U15 Schools Cup and Vase draws were announced today, like last year the first round losers will go through to the Plate and Bowl competitions respectively.
Across both tournaments there looks to be plenty of exciting rugby ahead of us with some fascinating match ups as early as the first round.
U15 Cup
North A
RGS Newcastle, Durham, Barnard Castle, and Ampleforth College all lurk in a fiendish bottom half of the draw in North A, while in the top half things are no less exciting, with Bradford Grammar, Hymers College, Mount St Mary’s, Grammar School at Leeds, and Woodhouse Grove all in residence.
North B
Cheadle Hulme v Manchester Grammar and Caldy Grange v St Anselm’s look like tough opening fixtures, King’s Macclefield will be glad to have a bye in that section. The bottom half is a who’s who of big names, including Sedbergh, Kirkham Grammar School, RGS Lancaster, and King’s Macclesfield.
Midlands A
There are some top early encounters in Midlands A, with Norwich v Langley looking like a good game, so too Haileybury v St Columba’s, Bedford Modern v Northampton School for Boys, and Uppingham v King’s Grantham, while the likes of Stamford, Bedford, Oundle, and Stowe are all also involved in this incredibly tough section.
Midlands B
King’s Worcester v Malvern College stands out as a top game here in a section that also includes Warwick, Bromsgrove, and Solihull among other top schools. The Midlands section certainly looks far stronger at U15 level than at U18 level.
London & South East A
St Joseph’s College v Royal Hospital School at the top of the draw looks like an excellent game, and could see the winner up against New Hall in the 3rd round. Campion, Merchant Taylors’, and UCS are others to look out for in the top half. In the bottom half there is real strength. St Benedict’s v Harrow and Reed’s v St John’s Leatherhead look like great games, with Dulwich College and St Paul’s also in that section.
London & South East B
Eastbourne College v Brighton College could be one of the early games to keep an eye on in this section, Trinity v Eltham, Caterham v Whitgift, and a huge game between Epsom College and John Fisher.
South West A
A slightly thinner South West A group means fewer matches, but still plenty of excitement and quality.. Plymouth College v Mount Kelly should be a good game, while Truro School, Ivybridge, and King’s College Taunton are all in their half, as are Blundell’s and the mighty Millfield School. In the top half Colston’s, Clifton College, St Peter’s Gloucester, and Cheltenham College head the pack.
South West B
Portsmouth Grammar v Churcher’s College at the top of the card is one of the highlights in a section that also includes Bryanston and Bishop Wordsworth’s. Sherborne v Canford is one of the ties of the entire first round, while a potential second round meeting between Wellington College and Hampton looks mouthwatering, with Wellington College looking to retain the trophy that they won in such dominant fashion last year. Looks out also for Abingdon, RGS High Wycombe, and Marlborough College, among others, this is a strong section.
U15 Vase
North A
North B
Midlands A
Midlands B
London & South East A
London & South East B
South West A
South West B
