A big welcome back to the 2017/18 schools rugby season!

This weekend marks the official start of the season for some schools, but for most it is the final weekend of preparations, and for many that means pre-season tournaments.

One of the most important of the lot is the Annual Esher RFC President’s Cup, won last year by Whitgift.

This year sees a bit of a change, where normally it has taken place on a Sunday, this year it takes place on Friday 1^st September.

It is a smaller pool of schools than in years gone by but, as always, the quality is sure to be high.

Joining Whitgift, who will hope to add to last year’s title, are their biggest rivals and Croydon neighbours, John Fisher. Alongside them, the third giant of Croydon rugby, Trinity.

Hampton School are also on the list, they are always a threat at this competition, and their game against St Benedict’s, who now have former Hampton head of rugby Zoran Higgins at the helm, should be superb. Eltham College are the sixth school on the list, in what promises to be an exciting afternoon of rugby.

It all kicks off at 2pm, with the final taking place at 5pm, with a barbecue cooking away in the background throughout. By the end of that final, we ought to have a fairly strong idea of which schools in the area are looking strong.

2017 Esher RFC President’s Cup lineup:

Eltham College

Hampton

John Fisher

St Benedict’s

Trinity

Whitgift

Play begins at 2pm, Friday 1^st September