The U18 Vase tournament for the 2018 Rosslyn Park HSBC National School 7s looks as competitive as ever.

The groups will run on Wednesday 21^st March, with the knockouts taking place on Thursday 22^nd March, the day that the U18 Cup starts. You can see our preview to the U18 Cup and the other Rosslyn Park tournaments below.

Rosslyn Park HSBC National School 7s Previews

U18 Cup

Colts

U14s

Girls & Girls AASE

Juniors & Prep Schools

U18 Vase

Like last year, there will be an elimination round following the groups, unlike in the Cup, the winners of that elimination round will play for the Vase, won last year by St John’s Leatherhead, while the losers will play for the Bowl, which Epsom College won last year.

With St John’s now in the Cup after last year’s win, Cheltenham College are in Group A as the highest seeded team after finishing as runners up, by just two points. They will fancy their chances of a repeat or better this year after an unbeaten fifteen-a-side season, and they are joined in Group A by Trent College, Shebbear College, RGS Lancaster, and Bassaleg.

Group B looks competitive, with Eltham College and Monmouth likely to be the two sides competing for top spot there, while Group C looks truly treacherous. Bromsgrove, Schools Cup champions in 2015 and 2016, are perhaps the headline act, but they are joined by seriously strong sides in Durham and Brynteg, plus a Campion side that enjoyed a truly extraordinary fifteen-a-side season and could yet translate that across.

Over in Group D it looks like Bishop Wordsworth’s v Dean Close will be the game to watch, two sides that had exciting backlines in the main season that should translate across to a cracking 7s contest. Trinity, Plymouth College and Prior Park College complete a tough group.

Group E is surely going to be all about Blundell’s v Felsted. The Champions Trophy finalists v last year’s Schools Cup semi finalists. Two of the top sides around. Keep an eye on Milton Abbey, Weston, and Tiffin though, as we have seen before anyone can pick up victories and spoil the party for the favourites, but that game looks like a cracker already.

Group F looks as though St Paul’s and Bristol Grammar will be the main contenders, while in Group G Eastbourne College and King’s Macclesfield are the likely main two, though Cardiff High School might be a surprise package. Framlingham College v New Hall in Group H will be a cracking derby match to spice up an already hugely competitive group.

Kingswood were one of the top fifteen-a-side teams this year, and they will really fancy their chances in Group I, while over in Group J things look wide open, expect a determined performance throughout from Portsmouth Grammar especially.

Group K seems likely to come down to Downside v Marlborough College as the key game, while over in Group L the reigning Bowl champions, Epsom College, reside alongside the likes of KCS Wimbledon and Nottingham High School.

Oundle, who drop down from the Cup, sit in Group M, which also includes school rugby legends, Colston’s. Group N meanwhile looks fierce, Judd will be favourites but Cokethorpe, Mount St Mary’s, St Peter’s Gloucester, and Bryn Tawe make it a hugely competitive group. Over in Group O Radley College will fancy their chances, though Gower College could be a bit of an unknown.

Group P Looks unbelievably competitive. 2015 Vase champions Stowe are included alongside Rugby, who could have a good side, Gresham’s, Pocklington, and Simon Langton in an incredibly tight looking group.

Reed’s are probably the early favourites in Group Q, but Wisbech Grammar have had a fantastic year and RGS Newcastle are always a very decent side. UCS have also been in good form for a couple of years.

Group R stars St Peter’s York, one of the best around for a couple of years now, but The Perse and Norwich in particular will really fancy the challenge, over in Group S Abgindon will start as favourites but will be challenged hard, not least by Pangbourne College.

Stonyhurst College are probably the standout side in Group T, with a competitive chasing pack in RGS Worcester, Ibstock Place, King’s Canterbury, and Torquay Boys Grammar. Ampleforth College v Giggleswick will be a huge derby at the top end of Group U, but look out for 2007 champions King’s College Taunton too.

QEGS Wakefield will really fancy their chances of a shot at the title, but they face a very strong challenge in the form of Berkhamsted in their group, with Christ’s Hospital, Clayesmore, and Reigate Grammar keeping them honest too.

Group W hosts Teddies Oxford among others, including RGS Guildford and The Oratory, while Oakham are probably the top guns in Group X, though Bryanston, Gordon’s, Leicester Grammar, and Truro are all capable of mounting a challenge too.

Eton College are the big name in Group Y, but Bradford Grammar will be seriously tough competition, KES Bath v Worth seems the key game in Group Z at this point in time. Over in Group AA fast rising Hayes might be a dark horse here though, while Loughborough, QEH, and Malvern College are all tough opposition, Ridley College from Canada will be a big unknown.

Group BB could be very open, Shiplake College will have a real go, so too Magdalen College and Bedford Modern, but you fancy that this could be one that goes right to the wire. As could Group CC, with Lord Wandsworth College, Queen’s College Taunton, Richard Huish, King’s Worcester, and Wimbledon College.

2016 Vase winners Tonbridge are the headline act in Group DD, having dropped back down from the Cup. They face Churcher’s College, Coopers’ Coborn, Ellesmere College, and Rutlish.

Group EE should be interesting, Uppingham are probably the favourites there but it will be tight. Millfield 2^nd VII will cause problems in Group FF, but Stockpot Grammar might fancy their chances.

Seaford College will be the favourites in Group GG but their game against KES Stratford, a very strong side indeed, will be key. Rounding off the Vase groups in HH, with Ashville College, Cardinal Newman, Peterborough Regional College, Coleg Gwent, and Pembrokeshire College competing in one of the most even looking groups.

Once again, the Vase looks like providing plenty of midweek thrills and excitement in the biggest week of school 7s in the world.

U18 Vase Draw