This week sees some crucial fixtures on the schools rugby calendar, not least with the continuation of National knockout rugby.
After an exciting weekend, there is real momentum ahead of a big week that will culminate on Sunday with our live streaming of the Seaford 10s, an event that should end January with a bang.
Tuesday
The week’s action all begins on Tuesday evening with a massive game between St Benedict’s and RGS High Wycombe, two schools with huge rugby reputations. St Benedict’s this year are playing at a level to rival any of their past exploits, finishing third in the Daily Mail Trophy with only a narrow Cup defeat to Harrow blemishing an unbeaten record, they are a fierce side. RGS are playing well of late too though, running Warwick incredibly close last week. It should be a superb game.
Wednesday
Wednesday sees plenty of exciting fixtures, not least Stonyhurst v Lancaster RGS in the County Cup. These two have been in superb form all term and are likely to put on a superb show on Wednesday afternoon. Elsewhere in the North West Merchant Taylors’ Crosby head to Bury Grammar, while across the Pennines Durham have a trip to Ripon Grammar, and Bradford Grammar welcome Harrogate Grammar in what promises to be an absolutely cracking game.
In the Midlands KES Birmingham and Shrewsbury go head to head, so too KES Camp Hill and Alcester Grammar, while Queen Mary’s Grammar head to Alcester Grammar.
Further South St Joseph’s College take on ACE College Bishop Wand, the sort of fixture that excites schools rugby fans across the country. Ravens Wood and Wallington County Grammar also go head to head, which ought to be a strong encounter.
Tiffin are in good form at the moment and have another home game, this time with Latymer Upper the visitors. Elsewhere Simon Langton Grammar host Gravesend Grammar, while Wilmington Grammar hostOakwood Park Grammar, ACS Cobham International meanwhile welcome Harrodian.
Thursday
There are two massive clashes on Thursday, perhaps the most crucial of the whole week being Stockport Grammar v Norwich. It is the delayed U18 Schools Plate quarter final, and the two sides are playing for the chance to take on Stowe, who reached the quarter final stages without even needing to play a game, before an impressive quarter final victory over Grammar School at Leeds in December, 20-15, saw them into the semi finals. It will be a big contest for both Stockport Grammar and Norwich, not least because of it being a quarter final, but also because it will be a first outing for a long time – coming out of the blocks fast could be crucial to joining Stowe, KCS Wimbledon, and Henley College in the quarter finals.
Elsewhere on Thursday is a fixture that could teach us a lot ahead of the Schools Cup semi finals, as semi finalists Sherborne take to the field for the first time since that tight victory over Harrow in the quarter finals (highlights of which you can see above). They are taking on Clifton College in a standalone game at Chippenham RFC, on of the top sides in the country whose only defeat came in our live stream of their game against Millfield (highlights of which are below). It promises to be an absolutely fantastic game of rugby between two top sides.
If you have any photos, video, reports, or any other content from the week’s U18 Academy League rugby then please do send it in via our social media channels or admin@nextgenxv.com and if you are interested in us live streaming one of your games or an event then please do get in touch!
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Tuesday
St Benedict’s v RGS High Wycombe
Wednesday
ACS Cobham International v Harrodian
Bradford Grammar v Harrogate Grammar
Bury Grammar v Merchant Taylors’, Crosby
KES Birmingham v Shrewsbury
KES Camp Hill v Alcester Grammar
Newcastle-Under-Lyme v Queen Mary’s Grammar
Ravens Wood v Wallington County Grammar
Ripon Grammar v Durham
Simon Langton Grammar v Gravesend Grammar
St Joseph’s College v Bishop Wand
Stonyhurst v Lancaster RGS (County Cup)
Tiffin v Latymer Upper
Wilmington Grammar v Oakwood Park Grammar
Thursday
Clifton College v Sherborne – Chippenham RFC
Stockport Grammar v Norwich (Schools Plate QF)
