The is plenty of rugby on this week across all of the major school rugby competitions, as well as a number of one off games.
Much of our focus with be on the Champions Trophy and U18 Schools Cup, for which you can click on the links below to see your previews, but there is also loads of action in the Vase, Bowl, Plate, Daily Mail Trophy, and plenty more, which we will quickly preview in this piece.
Schools Rugby Midweek Preview (all predictions in bold)
U18 Schools Plate
There are five confirmed fixtures in the Plate, four on Wednesday and one on Thursday, though more are likely to end up scheduled later on.
On Wednesday New Hall host Langley Park in Round 2 of London & South East A. The winners of that will meet the winners of Salesian v Colfe’s, which is also on Wednesday.
In the sister group, London & South East B, Sir Joseph Williamson’s host Trinity, with the winner in that one up against either Peter Symonds’ or Farnborough in round 3.
In South West A Pangbourne College host St Peter’s Gloucester for a second round tie. The winners there will face either KES Southampton or St Bartholomew’s in the next round.
Up in Midlands A Gresham’s host Bedford Modern on Thursday for the chance to meet Uppingham in the regional final after the Rutland side received a bye. The winner in that regional final will head to the national quarter final re-draw.
Gresham’s v Bedford Modern – Thursday
New Hall v Langley Park – Wednesday
Pangbourne College v St Peter’s Gloucester – Wednesday
Salesian v Colfe’s – Wednesday
Sir Joseph Williamson’s v Trinity – Wednesday
U18 Schools Vase
The Vase action began on Tuesday with Langley hosting Bishop’s Stortford College in Midlands B, and posting a stunning 88-8 victory. They will face the winner of Thursday’s game between Trent College and Welbeck College in the regional final next round.
Also on Tuesday is Reed’s v The Weald in London & South East B. The winner there faces a wait to discover their next opponent though, with the top half of the draw a round behind. Mill Hill and London Oratory play on Wednesday, with the winner then facing St George’s Harpenden, the winner of that then faces the winner of Reed’s v The Weald.
Aside from Mill Hill v London Oratory, there are four other Vase games scheduled for Wednesday. In South West B Dr Challoner’s host The Crypt and will then face either Bournemouth of Sir William Borlase’s next round.
In London & South East A two teams in great form face off, Hayes and Richard Hale. Both have made great strides and the winner will play either Dartford Grammar or Sutton Valence, who meet on Thursday afternoon.
South West A sees Thomas Hardye host Taunton, while in North B Yarm are at home to Ripon Grammar School, but the winner will have a wait before finding out their next opponent.
Dartford GS v Sutton Valence – Thursday
Dr Challoner’s GS v The Crypt – Wednesday
Hayes v Richard Hale – Wednesday
Langley 88-8 Bishop’s Stortford College – Tuesday
Mill Hill v London Oratory – Wednesday
Reed’s v The Weald – Tuesday
Thomas Hardye v Taunton – Wednesday
Trent College v Welbeck College – Thursday
Yarm v Ripon GS – Wednesday
U18 Schools Bowl
Over in the Bowl Beth’s Grammar host Sir Roger Manwood’s in London & South East A on Wednesday, the winner will play either Robert Clack or Ravens Wood in the regional final.
Moving to Midlands B, Akeley Wood host Leicester Grammar, with King Henry VIII Coventry hosting Hereford Cathedral in Midlands A. Emmanuel College, meanwhile, face Ashville College in North B.
Beth’s GS v Sir Roger Manwood’s – Wednesday
Ashville v Emmanuel College – Wednesday
King Henry VIII, Coventry v Hereford Cathedral – Wednesday
Akeley Wood v Leicester GS – Wednesday
Daily Mail Trophy
There are a few Daily Mail Trophy games on Wednesday too, including one huge one between Ellesmere College and Denstone College, two huge rivals playing their biggest game of the year. It is their oldest fixture in the books, and with such a lengthy rivalry, an intense and passionate contest is almost always the result, it should be a cracker.
Elsewhere Christ’s Hospital host Tiffin, while St George’s College Weybridge host a Reigate Grammar School side that is searching for a momentum shifting win.
Christ’s Hospital v Tiffin (Daily Mail Trophy)
St George’s College, Weybridge v Reigate GS (Daily Mail Trophy)
Ellesmere College v Denstone College (Daily Mail Trophy)
Elsewhere
Tuesday saw a big Scottish Cup quarter final between Fettes College and Dollar Academy, with Fettes taking it 27-19. On Wednesday it is the turn of Kelvinside Academy and Edinburgh Royal High School to battle it out for a place in the semis.
There is action among the various County Cups in England, beginning on Tuesday with Haileybury v Richard Hale – though with Richard Hale having a Schools Vase fixture on Wednesday, that could be under threat.
Wednesday sees QES Barnet host Bishop’s Stortford High School, while St Columba’s College host Verulam.
Away from knockout competition there are some other good Wednesday games, Worksop College, in fine form, host Hall Cross, while Reading back the short trip to Grodon’s.
Wallington County Grammar are in action at Ewell Castle, with Simon Langton hosting Cranbrook.
Moving north, Bishop Heber, once the proud school of the Curry twins, are hosting Shrewsbury, while Ermysted’s Grammar host the very impressive Sedbergh 2nd XV.
There is entertainment on Friday night too, with King William’s College hosting Liverpool College and ACS Cobham International facing Latymer Upper. Arguably the game of the evening though will be the big local contest between Bradford Grammar and Prince Henry’s Grammar.
Fettes College 27-19 Dollar Academy (Scottish Cup QF)
Haileybury v Richard Hale (County Cup)
Bishop Heber v Shrewsbury
Ermysted’s v Sedbergh 2nd XV
Ewell Castle v Wallington CGS
Gordon’s v Reading
QES Barnet v Bishop’s Stortford HS (County Cup)
Simon Langton GS v Cranbrook
St Columba’s College v Verulam (County Cup)
Worksop College v Hall Cross
Kelvinside Academy v Edinburgh RHS (Scottish Cup QF)
King William’s College v Liverpool College
Bradford GS v Prince Henry’s GS
Latymer Upper v ACS Cobham International
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