After 7 gruelling rounds of fixtures that began shortly before Christmas, the Premiership Rugby U18 Academy Finals Day is upon us.

The day takes place this Sunday at Worcester Warriors’ Sixways Stadium, with four games at the main stadium and three at the outside A&H pitch.

Every side from the North Pool plays their counterpart from the South Pool, which will mean that every team has a ranking from the competition from 1 to 14.

They day will start with the Play Offs for the lower positions, before building through the day to a 5.30pm climax for the Premiership Rugby U18 Academy League Final between Bristol Bears and Northampton Saints after they topped the South and North pools respectively

Final Day Schedule (All Fixtures on Sunday 27^th March)

Final: Bristol Bears v Northampton Saints – 5.30pm, Sixways Main Pitch

3^rd Place Play Off: Leicester Tigers v Harlequins – 3.30pm, Sixways Main Pitch

5^th Place Play Off: Sale Sharks v Saracens – 1.30pm, Sixways Main Pitch

7^th Place Play Off: Newcastle Falcons v Bath – 3.30pm, Sixways A&H Pitch

9^th Place Play Off: London Irish v Worcester Warriors – 11.30am, Sixways Main Pitch

11^th Place Play Off: Exeter Chiefs v Wasps – 1.30pm, Sixways A&H Pitch

13^th Place Play Off: Yorkshire Academy v Gloucester – 11.30am, Sixways A&H Pitch

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Final: Bristol Bears v Northampton Saints

The game that will live on in the U18 Academy League history books is the final, and these two have been magnificent. Bristol Bears went through the league phase of the season unbeaten, fighting off strong challenges from the likes of Harlequins and Saracens, while Northampton Saints put in an excellent performance in the last round to beat Newcastle Falcons in what was a winner-goes-to-the-final clash in the North Pool, which has been ultra competitive this year.

Unsurprisingly, given their form, neither side has changed too much. Northampton Saints have named an unchanged starting XV from that side that defeated Newcastle, while Bristol Bears have made just three changes, with Lucas Berti, Louis Trevett, and Tom Gardner all promoted from the bench to the starting fifteen at inside centre, loosehead, and openside respectively, with Henry Hawkins, Billy Marsden, and Charlie Cox going the other way. It’s a huge moment for Gardner, his first start of the campaign and it comes in the final. Saints have made a couple of changes on the bench, Aston Gradwick-Light and Lucas Nisbett-Hadaway come in as front row replacements after missing out in the final round.

It promised to be a cracking final between two sides that have been so good this year and have momentum almost oozing from their pores.

Bristol Bears

15 Sami Hamid, 14 Gabe Lacey, 13 Isaac Campbell-Wu, 12 Lucas Berti, 11 Tom Ormsby, 10 Sam Worsley, 9 Pete Carter, 1 Louis Trevett, 2 James Randall, 3 Jimmy Halliwell, 4 Ollie Thraves, 5 Paddy Pearce, 6 Aaron Tull (c), 7 Tom Gardner, 8 Ed Harvey.

Replacements: 16 George Davey, 17 Billy Marsden, 18 Billy Moran, 19 Peter Paramore, 20 Charlie Cox, 21 Rhys Price, 22 Henry Hawkins, 23 Davies.

Northampton Saints

15 Jody Devine, 14 Ethan Thorne, 13 Toby Cousins, 12 Archie Kean, 11 Frankie Sleightholme, 10 Tommy Taylor, 9 Harry Hall, 1 Callum Smyth, 2 Craig Wright, 3 Nick Tarr, 4 Carn Richards-Farr, 5 George Lavender, 6 Ted Reid, 7 Henry Pollock, 8 George Patten (c).

Replacements: 16 Aston Gradwick-Light, 17 Sam Ferrari, 18 Lucas Nisbett-Hadaway, 19 James Bennett, 20 Levi Wilson, 21 Archie McParland, 22 Toby Thame, 23 Ewan Baker.

3^rd Place: Leicester Tigers v Harlequins

The third place play off sees Leicester Tigers from the North take on Harlequins from the South. Tigers, who soared up the table with last week’s win over Wasps, have made a few changes for this one. Oakham’s Oliver Crane comes in at tighthead, with schoolmate Felix Starkey selected in the second row, his first start of the campaign. That move means a shift from the second row to the openside flank for Northampton School for Boys’ Joshua Manz. On the bench there is a possible first appearance for Stamford’s Phelton Tandoh, while Brooksby Melton College’s Jack Hurst returns for the first time since  Round 3.

Harlequins have had a bit of a rejig of their backline after their win against Saracens a fortnight ago. Clare and Kerr remain and half back with Waghorn again at outside centre, and Trinity’s fleet-footed Josh Bellamy again at full back, but elsewhere it’s all change. Wellington College’s Finn Tawse switches from the left wing to the right, with Trinity’s Conor Byrne, normally a fly half/full back, coming in on the left. Hampton’s Ethan Knight meanwhile moves from the right wing to inside centre. Up front Worthing College’s Ethan Clarke and Gordon’s Caleb Ashworth both return to the starting XV at prop, while in the second row there is a first appearance for Ashworth’s schoolmate Theo Currie. Brighton College’s Jonny Smith returns on the blindside after missing the game against Saracens. On the bench there is a return for Churcher’s College’s Jack Thomas.

Leicester Tigers

15 Ben Taylor (Oakham), 14 Malelili Satala (Brooksby Melton College), 13 George Loose (Gresham’s), 12 Joseph Woodward (Brooksby Melton College, captain), 11 Sam Jacques (Brooksby Melton College), 10 Morgan Meredith (Brooksby Melton College), 9 Matt Durbridge (Brooksby Melton College), 1 Tom Wand (Brooksby Melton College), 2 Max Nolan (Brooksby Melton College), 3 Oliver Crane (Oakham), 4 Finn Carnduff (Leicester Grammar), 5 Felix Starkey (Oakham), 6 Simon Koroiyadi (Trent College), 7 Joshua Manz (Northampton School for Boys), 8 Chester Owen (Brooksby Melton College).

Replacements: 16 Jack Hurst (Brooksby Melton College), 17 Harry Clarke (Denstone College), 18 Nathan Hind (Brooksby Melton College), 19 Phelton Tandoh (Stamford), 20 George Perkins (Denstone College), 21 Nicholas Gali (Denstone College), 22 Oscar van Deventer (Denstone College), 23 Alex Garrett (Denstone College).

Harlequins

15 Josh Bellamy (Trinity), 14 Finn Tawse (Wellington College), 13 Ben Waghorn (John Fisher), 12 Ethan Knight (Hampton), 11 Conor Byrne (Trinity), 10 Sean Kerr (Whitgift), 9 Charlie Clare (Brighton College), 1 Ethan Clarke (Worthing College), 2 Jack Doorey-Palmer (Worthing College), 3 Caleb Ashworth (Gordon’s), 4 Jonny Green (Seaford College), 5 Theo Currie (Gordon’s), 6 Jonny Smith (Brighton College), 7 Seb Driscoll (Whitgift), 8 Zach Carr (Dulwich College).

Replacements: 16 Will Ayton (Wellington College), 17 Tosin Teriba (Gordon’s), 18 Claudius Wheeler (St Paul’s), 19 Ben Elsey (Gordon’s), 20 Theo Martin (Gordon’s), 21 Murdoch Lock (Wellington College), 22 Jack Thomas (Churcher’s College), 23 Jamie Flatley (Whitgift).

5^th Place: Sale Sharks v Saracens

Sale Sharks topped the North Pool right up until the final week, while Saracens were in with a sniff of topping the South on the final day, now they meet in Sunday’s fifth place play off.

Sale had a bye week in the final round, but make a few changes to their side that played in Round 6. Aaron Pope returns at outside centre for the first time since Round 4, while up front Sedbergh’s Jack Ellam returns at loosehead, with Harry Thompson back at hooker and Will Riley in the second row. On the bench, meanwhile, Paddy Jones is back after missing the last game.

Saracens also make some changes, with Harry Legg out St Albans’ Jack Cullen is promoted from the bench to full back, Sutton Valence’s Jenson McInulty meanwhile moves from inside centre to outside, with schoolmate Tom Barton moving from the wing to inside centre. Charlie Reynolds-West, of Oaklands College, moves from the bench to Barton’s vacated wing slot, and Brentwood’s Ben Mills is also promoted from the bench, he starts at fly half. Up front Anthony Mark of Ashford returns at lock for the first time since Round 3, he is alongside Simon Langton’s Kennedy Sylvester, who himself returns after a long absence. Max Eke of St George’s Harpdenden comes in at blindside after missing the last game, while on the bench Berkhamsted’s Will Standford and Finborough’s Toby Clinch both return after missing the last game.

Sale Sharks

15 Leo Zheng, 14 Ben Verbickas, 13 Aaron Pope, 12 Ben Motamed, 11 Owain Williams, 10 Charlie Wardle, 9 Will Wootton, 1 Jack Ellam, 2 Harry Thompson, 3 Patreece Bell, 4 Will Riley, 5 Oscar Walsh, 6 Yande Nkonge, 7 Tristan Woodman, 8 Huw Davies (c).

Replacements: 16 Rorio Zheng, 17 George Arnold, 18 Theo Bishop, 19 Paddy Jones, 20 Tom Campbell, 21 Niall Povall, 22 Finn Rogers, 23 Henry Harper.

Saracens

15 Jack Cullen (St Albans), 14 Micaal McFarlane (Skinners’), 13 Jenson McInulty (Sutton Valence), 12 Tom Barton (Sutton Valence), 11 Charlie Reynolds-West (Oaklands College), 10 Ben Mills (Brentwood), 9 Charlie Bracken (St Albans), 1 Freddie Chapman (Oaklands College), 2 James Isaacs (Berkhamsted), 3 Charlie Keith (Berkhamsted), 4 Anthony Mark (Ashford), 5 Kennedy Sylvester (Simon Langton), 6 Max Eke (St George’s, Harpenden), 7 Luca Fahy (Berkhamsted), 8 Nathan Michelow (Sutton Valence).

Replacements: 16 Henry Walker (Hartpury College), 17 Ikhi Osebor (Haileybury), 18 Will Stanford (Berkhamsted), 19 Olamide Sodeke (Gravesend Grammar), 20 Barnaby Merrett (Sutton Valence), 21 Louie Sinclair (Finborough), 22 Tyler Weeks (Sutton Valence), 23 Toby Clinch (Finborough).

7^th Place: Newcastle Falcons v Bath

It seems almost hard to believe that Newcastle Falcons are in the 7^th place play off given that a win in Round 7 would have seen them in to the final, but that is how tight the North Pool was. They have not made too many changes from that defeat to Saints either, Austin Friars’ Oz Roberts makes a first start since Round 2 on the left wing, and there is a first start for Gosforth Academy’s Isaac Keller at tighthead. Barnard Castle’s Will Gibbons meanwhile comes in at openside for a first start since Round 2, a move that sees RGS Newcastle’s Ewan Venerus return to number 8. On the bench Sedbergh’s Ben Wright returns after missing the game against Saints.

Bath were a really tough competitior in the South Pool, despite their side having some real injury struggles. From their final game they keep things the same in the back line but have mixed up the forwards, Scott Kirk makes his first start at loosehead, as does Ellis Baker at tighthead. The excellent Will Jeanes is back in the second row, and there is a first start at blindside for Abdul-Khalik Akenzua Al Kareem, meanwhile Alex Salah is promoted from the bench to number 8. On the bench there are returns for Tommy McLean, Billy Sela, and Millfield skipper Eric Nixon-Castillo, while there is a first appearance coming for Ben Adams.

Newcastle Falcons

15 Ben Redshaw (Sedbergh), 14 Natty Greenwood (Gosforth Academy), 13 Jez Civil (Gosforth Academy), 12 Will Hindle (Gosforth Academy), 11 Oz Roberts (Austin Friars), 10 Harry Williams (Barnard Castle), 9 Ben Douglas (Gosforth Academy), 1 Micky Rewcastle (Gosforth Academy), 2 Charlie Smith (Dame Allan’s), 3 Isaac Keller (Gosforth Academy), 4 Finn Baker (Sedbergh), 5 Ayden Knott (Gosforth Academy), 6 Braemar Murray (Sedbergh), 7 Will Gibbons (Barnard Castle), 8 Ewan Venerus (RGS Newcastle).

Replacments: 16 Ben Wright (Sedbergh), 17 Morgan Hall (Gosforth Academy), 18 Sam Birkbeck (QES Kirkby Lonsdale), 19 Will Murray (Gosforth Academy), 20 Zach Oldham (Gosforth Academy), 21 Freddie Nickalls (RGS Newcastle), 22 Will Roue (Sedbergh), 23 Tom Burton (Sedbergh).

Bath

15 Byron Lloyd-Gilmour, 14 Kamoto Kamanga-Dyrbak, 13 Max Ashton, 12 Will Parry, 11 Rory Crum, 10 Sam Harris (c), 9 Ieuan Davies, 1 Scott Kirk, 2 Max Pearce, 3 Ellis Baker, 4 Eddie Erskine, 5 Will Jeanes, 6 Abdul-Khalik Akenzua Al Kareem, 7 George Timmins, 8 Alex Salah.

Replacements: 16 Tommy McLean, 17 Eric Nixon-Castillo, 18 Billy Sela, 19 Rory Cameron, 20 Jack Haythornthwaite, 21 Ollie Byrne, 22 Raff Weston, 23 Ben Adams.

9^th Place: London Irish v Worcester Warriors

London Irish had a by in Round 7 but make a few changes from round 6, most notably Bishop Wand’s Theo Williamson earning a first start on the right wing since Round 1. Schoolmate Alex Enright is promoted from the bench to wear 12, while Mill Hill’s Oscar Daniel is back in the starting side, he is on the left wing. The forward pack is unchanged, but on the bench Oran Murphy and Roman Barton-Knott return and there is a potential first game for Berkhamsted’s Connor Peters.

Worcester Warriors have made a big shift by moving Dan Chambers from full back to fly half, promoted Billy Emerick from the bench to 15 in the process, while Ollie Smith is also promoted to start on the left wing. Up front Owen Boxall returns at openside, with skipper Theo Mayell moving back to 8, while at hooker the swap between Ethan Allan and Loic Keasey continues, Allen starts this one.

London Irish

15 Matt Salisbury (Bishop Wand), 14 Theo Williamson (Bishop Wand), 13 George Cubitt-Makepeace (Henley College), 12 Alex Enright (Bishop Wand), 11 Oscar Daniel (Mill Hill), 10 Rory Taylor (Wellington College), 9 Ollie Allan (Bishop Wand), 1 Tolii Reeves-Hall (Bishop Wand), 2 Rhys Day (Epsom College), 3 Afolabi Fasogbon (Bishop Wand), 4 Jarlath Gleeson (City of London Freemen’s), 5 Connor O’Byrne (Wellington College), 6 Will Dempster (Clarie’s Court), 7 Louie Kirkham (Bishop Wand, captain), 8 Oliver Stirling (Harrow).

Replacements: 16 Oban Baird (Cranleigh), 17 Oran Murphy (Hinchley Wood), 18 Kassim Dawud (Bishop Wand), 19 George Hamblin (Harrow), 20 Roman Barton-Knott (Bishop Wand), 21 Connor Peters (Berkhamsted), 22 Oscar Grantham (Bishop Wand), 23 Ben Frampton (Wellington College).

Worcester Warriors

15 Billy Emerick, 14 Jack Kinder, 13 Will Pugh (vc), 12 Archie Jones, 11 Oli Smith, 10 Dan Chambers, 9 Alex Terry, 1 Lewys Walsh, 2 Ethan Allen, 3 Aaron Hackett, 4 Will Chater, 5 Harvey Cuckson, 6 Will Owen, 7 Owen Boxall, 8 Theo Mayell (c).

Replacements: 16 Emmanuel Olaleye, 17 Loic Keasey, 18 George Boyle, 19 Sam Hawes, 20 Sammie Erskine, 21 Billy McDonough, 22 Jack Condliffe, 23 Jacob Clarke.

11^th Place: Exeter Chiefs v Wasps

Exeter Chiefs move Dan Hamilton-Strong from full back to the right wing, with Jayden Pitcher-Oakes stepping up from the bench to full back. It’s an all new half back combination too as Nat Dart is promoted from the bench to fly half and Morgan Stone returns at 9 for a first start since Round 4. Up front Pete Harris returns at hooker, while Tom Gulley steps from the bench to loosehead, Jago Sheppard moves from the back row to lock, with Ed Spurway moving from the bench to the blindside flank as a result.

Wasps have a few changes too, Myall gets a first start at inside centre since round 2, while Casilio gets a first start of the campaign at scrum half. Up front there is a first start for McGowan in the second row, while Newcombe moves from 7 to 6 to allow Ward to return at openside for the first time since Round 3. On the bench Marsh and McDermott are in line for first appearances since Round 6.

Exeter Chiefs

15 Jayden Pitcher-Oakes, 14 Dan Hamilton-Strong, 13 Zach Wimbush, 12 George Edson, 11 Reuben Brinckley, 10 Nat Dart, 9 Morgan Stone, 1 Joe Thompson, 2 Pete Harris, 3 Tom Gulley, 4 Jago Sheppard, 5 Joe Bailey (c), 6 Ed Spurway, 7 Seth Findley, 8 Barnaby Elderkin.

Replacements: 16 Jack Ballett, 17 Rowan Lawrence, 18 Archie Rolls, 19 Jake Salvi, 20 Will Saltmarsh, 21 Joe Walker, 22 Jeremy Tuima, 23 Jack Statton.

Wasps

15 B Kucera, 14 E Rokodrava, 13 W Evans, 12 C Myall, 11 W Glister, 10 C Mason, 9 L Casilio, 1 A O’Driscoll, 2 H Silman, 3 A Opoku-Fordjour, 4 L McGowan, 5 T Clifford, 6 Z Newcombe, 7 G Ward, 8 B Pogson.

Replacements: 16 O Blunsom-Washbrook, 17 R Marsh, 18 B McDermott, 19 R Logan, 20 J Annand, 21 M Winterburn, 22 R Sweeting, 23 D Barnett.

13^th Place: Yorkshire Academy v Gloucester

Yorkshire and Gloucester go into this final game hoping that it will be they that will earn a first win of the season. To that end Yorkshire have made some changes, Delailomaloma makes his first start of the campaign at 13, while McCormack returns at left wing after missing the last game. Peach returns in the second row and Freeman is back in the side at openside flaner. On the bench there is a first appearance for Carswell since Round 2, while Worral could be in line for his debut.

Gloucester also make some changes, Hartpury College’s Archie Hossack moves from the left wing to the right with schoolmate Ty Lewis returning on the left, while at scrum half Joe Adams, against of Hartpury, returns to the starting side. Fellow Hartpury man Henry Pearson is back at tighthead, so too Rhys Ford at lock, which means a move to the back row for Cleeve’s Sam Anson, and a return for Hartpury’s Freddie Stevens at 8 for the first time since Round 5. On the bench St Peter’s Fred Ma’a and Hartpury College’s Stan Folks-Underhill both return.

Yorkshire Academy

15 B Turpin, 14 G Worthington, 13 N Delailomaloma, 12 J Howells, 11 N McCormack, 10 B Irvine, 9 J Harris (c), 1 A Medway, 2 L Inman, 3 P Parker, 4 T Burrow, 5 T Peach, 6 H du Boulay, 7 J Freeman, 8 H Willard.

Replacements: 16 J Briggs, 17 H Derbyshire, 18 T Raymont, 19 B Roscoe, 20 E Smith, 21 B Parkin, 22 L Worral, 23 T Carswell.

Delailmolamoa in at 13 (first start) Horberry out, McCormack in at 11 (missed R7) Yates out, Peach in at 5 for Mathew after missing R7. Freeman back in for Billington at 7. Worral and Carswell, debut for Worral, Carswell first app since R2.

Gloucester

15 Ioan Jones (Dean Close), 14 Archie Hossack (Hartpury College), 13 Will Gilderson (Cheltenham College), 12 Tom Riman (Cheltenham College), 11 Ty Lewis (Hartpury College), 10 Keillen Cullen (Hartpury College), 9 Joey Adams (Hartpury College), 1 Tyler Harvey (Park House), 2 George Merritt (Dean Close, captain), 3 Henry Pearson (Hartpury College), 4 Sam Vince (Hartpury College), 5 Rhys Ford (Hartpury College), 6 Sam Anson (Cleeve), 7 Jack Hall (Hartpury College), 8 Freddie Stevens (Hartpury College).

Replacements: 16 Sam Loftus (Sir Thomas Rich’s), 17 Will Hurn (Sir Thomas Rich’s), 18 Fred Ma’a (St Peter’s, Gloucester), 19 Heath Gwilliam (Cheltenham College), 20 Stan Folks-Underhill (Hartpury College), 21 Ben Peters (Dean Close), 22 Nathan Thomson-Lee (Hartpury College).