The 2019 Rosslyn Park HSBC National School 7s U18 Vase, which runs on Tuesday 26^th and Wednesday 27^th March, looks as though it will be as competitive as ever.

Blundell’s move up to the Cup so there is no defending champion, that means that last year’s runners up, St Peter’s York, line up in Group A. It is a brutal looking group with quality everywhere in the form of Bloxham, Bristol Grammar, Bryanston, and Caterham. A winner could well come from this Group, particularly given Bloxham’s spectacular U18 Schools Plate triumph on Tuesday, what a double that would be.

Epsom College, who have won the Edwin Doran Surrey Schools Senior 7s and Hiscox Reigate Charity 7s, as well as reaching the Champions Trophy final, will be among the headline acts, they are in Group C, though those success have led to queries as to why they are in the Vase rather than the Cup.

Schools Cup semi finalists Marlborough College are in Group E alongside the quietly impressive Hayes, who reached the Schools Vase semis. Group F, meanwhile, is heavyweight, St Paul’s, Colston’s, and last year’s Bowl winners, Eton College, are among the protagonists there.

Group G features some big names, not least Bishop Wordsworth’s and Cheltenham College, both of whom could have big influences, while Merchiston Castle in Group I will be among the most likely candidates to bring silverware back to Scotland.

Tonbridge are a side with a great 7s history, they are in Group K with Portsmouth Grammar, who could have a good run, look out too from Group M, where Berkhamsted and Langley will butt heads, while Group N features a highly respected Rugby School side.

RGS Newcastle’s challenge for a second major piece of silverware following their St Joseph’s Festival triumph begins from Group O, while Mount St Mary’s College could be an overall contender. They are in Group P.

Norwich are another side that has been hugely impressive this season, including their Reed’s 7s triumph, they are in Group U, while fellow Norfolk side Wisbech Grammar, who won their Floodlit 7s, are in Group V which looks highly competitive with Worksop College, Pocklington, Kings Bruton, and the excellent Bromsgrove all in contention. Indeed Bromsgrove must be one of the favourites after a couple of triumphs this 7s season, including the Solihull 7s.

Felsted are always a cracking 7s side, they can be found in Group X, while Groups Y, Z, and AA all look like being absolute thrillers. Oakham will likely be among those expected to go far too, they are in JJ. Group R’s King’s Worcester are worth keeping an eye on after their U18 Schools Bowl triumph.

The Vase tournament is a brutally tough one in truth, a bad draw is a killer and some big names will fall, while some surprise entries will make the quarter finals from some of the less competitive groups.

The main reason it is so tough though is that only Group winners progress. They will then immediately face another Group winner in an elimination round, the winners of which go into five quarter final pools consisting of three teams each. The winners of each quarter final pool, plus the best runner up, are then split into two semi final pool of three, with the winner of each of those heading to the final.

Those losing the elimination round head into the Bowl, which follows exactly the same quarter finals, semi final, and final process as the Vase.

2019 Rosslyn Park HSBC National School 7s U18 Vase Draw (Tuesday 26^th & Wednesday 27^th March):

To see the draws for the other tournaments, please follow these links:

U18 Cup

Colts

U14s

Girls & Girls AASE

Juniors and Prep