After a slightly stuttering opening weekend of the season due to so many games being cancelled as a mark of respect following the death of The Queen, this weekend has a start of season feel for a huge number of teams.
However plenty of others did manage to get the seasons under way and have already created some fascinating story lines going into this weekend.
There are also three Live Games here on NextGenXV, starting on Friday night with Northampton School for Boys v Ipswich, followed on Saturday morning by Reading Blue Coat v Shiplake College, and rounding off on Saturday afternoon with Round 2 of The Schools Championship as Whitgift host Wellington College.
With those three games plus hundreds of others, it looks set to be an absolutely sensational weekend of school rugby. For some additional thoughts on the weekend’s action, plus our Top 5 School Teams of the Weekend, check out Episode 2 of the NextGenXV Podcast below (also available on Acast, Apple Podcast, and Spotify), where Angus Savage and Dan Richards also make a start on their School XV of the Decade, starting with the best front row players of the last 10 years.
Ten to Watch
As ever, we begin our weekly preview with our Ten to Watch, which includes our three live streamed games, the first game of the Schools Cup, and some other fantastic games of rugby from all over the country.
Barnard Castle v Woodhouse Grove – Saturday
Two fantastic teams in the last few years, and at this time last year we were lucky enough to have our live cameras sharing that action of this fixtures, where Woodhouse Grove took a 17-12 victory. They would meet again two months later though in the Cup, this time Barnard Castle taking a 38-24 victory at home. Back at home again then, Barnard Castle should have some confidence, particularly after a good victory over a strong Hymers College side in their opener last weekend. However Woodhouse Grove will arrive with plenty of confidence too, this is their first game of the season and a chance to start it with a bang and a real statement result. It’s not to be missed, two absolute giants not just of schools rugby in the North, but of schools rugby full stop.
Brighton College v Hampton – Friday (at Brighton RFC)
After last weekend’s action, the anticipation for this Friday night game at Brighton RFC just hit fever pitch. Brighton College were fantastic value for a hugely impressive 29-0 victory over Tonbridge, while in another Friday night game Hampton put in one of the performances of the opening weekend to defeat a much fancied Seaford College side 24-6. It makes for an enormously exciting game on Friday night, one where we will surely learn plenty about both sides in what is sure to be an excitable atmosphere. In the equivalent fixture last year Hampton sealed an impressive 29-14 victory but Brighton got their revenge with a victory at the St Joseph’s Festival, which way it will fall this year is anyone’s guess, all we know for certain is that we are in for a special evening.
Clifton College v Old Swinford Hospital – Saturday
After the events of last weekend, this game has suddenly become a must watch. Both teams were named in our Top 5 School Teams of the Weekend in this week’s NextGenXV Podcast after their exploits, with Clifton College putting in an outstanding performance to beat Millfield at Sedbergh (you can watch that game below) and Old Swinford Hospital making a real mark by heading to a very good Monmouth side a winning an absolute thriller 31-29. It’s a first meeting at 1st XV level for these two since 2011, but both teams had sensational Colts groups last year and have, much to the pleasure of those with a keen interest, have added this one to the card for this year. Clifton start as favourites after last week’s exploits, but if Old Swinford Hospital can stay in touch, the signs for their season will be very positive indeed.
Eton College v St Paul’s – Saturday
A classic fixture, both in terms of the rugby and in terms of the prestige of the two schools – arguably the most well known outside of rugby circles in the country, perhaps the world. In a rugby sense, both have started the season in outstanding form. Eton had decent expectations after a strong Colts year last year, and they met those in the opening weekend with an excellent 39-10 victory over John Fisher. St Paul’s were even more dominant, sealing a stunning 52-12 victory at home against Wimbledon College. One suspects that this will be a far sterner test for both though, and could create and absolute classic of a game. Perhaps the best feature of this one though, is that the two meet again after half term, meaning that whichever way this one goes the story is already brewing for the next.
Northampton School for Boys v Ipswich – Friday, Live Stream
Our first live stream of the weekend and, due to circumstance, the first live live stream of the season! These two have really charged up the school ranks in recent times, and Ipswich in particular now have to be regarded as one of the very best handful in the country. Indeed their President’s Cup victory and a stunning opening day 69-0 win over Uppingham make that almost impossible to refute. Northampton School for Boys will likely be a sterner test though, despite a 68-15 victory in the equivalent game last year. NSB had a really strong season opener last weekend, facing a testing opponent in Denstone College. They just came out on the wrong side of the result, 12-11, but that sort of a test will stand them in good stead for Friday night’s game. It is set to be a terrific atmosphere in Northampton, and with so much excitement surrounding seeing these two sides live for the first time this year it should be a very special broadcast too.
Oakham v Uppingham – Saturday, Schools Cup
The Rutland Derby, always a hugely passionate fixture, and this weekend with extra meaning as it also doubles as a Schools Cup opening round fixture. Uppingham will be looking to hit reset after a tough outing against Ipswich in their opener last weekend, and from their point of view what better opponent that their nearest rivals, a school with so much shared history that they even share a crest. Oakham are going to be really tough to beat though – for everyone this season – in their opener last week they travelled to Rugby School and took an impressive 29-14 victory, while in pre-season they met Leicester Tigers’ ACE side, Brooksby Melton College, and took the victory there too. So Oakham go in with the greater form and confidence, but in a derby of this nature, it’s never a good plan to start counting chickens.
Reading Blue Coat v Shiplake College – Saturday, Live Stream (at Reading RFC)
Our second live stream of the weekend is the 10am kick off at Reading RFC as Reading Blue Coat begin their season against old rivals Shiplake College. Blue Coat were due to start their season last week but the games were called off, and it’s a first weekend fixture of the season for Shiplake College, whose season began in midweek away at The Oratory in the Vase. They went down 10-0 there, but with a quick turnaround they are going to be pumped for this one and ought to be settled for the experience of having had a game under their belts. It’s set to be a fantastic occasion, Reading Blue Coat were real stars of the NextGenXV live streams last year during their stunning Vase run while Shiplake College make their live stream debut after last year’s live game fell to a power cut at the ground. All the signs are that it should be a brilliant morning of rugby to kick off the day’s live action.
Seaford College v Epsom College – Saturday
A massive game anyway, but even bigger now with both sides looking to bounce back from being on the wrong side of the result in the opening weekend. Seaford went down to Hampton in the rain at Cobham RFC, meanwhile for the first time in 11 years RGS Guildford took the spoils against Epsom College. So both teams are going to be bursting to get things moving this weekend, and what a fantastic game in which to take on that challenge – two strong sides with outstanding reputations, playing with perhaps just a bit of a point to make. It’s sure to be a good one, and a first game between these two for many a year.
Trinity v Cranleigh – Saturday
If this game turns out to be anything like last year’s, then we are in for an absolute thriller. Cranleigh won that one at home in epic fashion, 30-26, and Trinity then went on to lift the U18 Schools Cup for the first time. That ought to tell you everything you need to know about the level of these two teams. It’s a fascinating one too because it is a first official hit out for these two, and therefore a first proper chance to assess where they are at. Trinity have had a long pre-season and will be itching to get under way with a side that is very highly rated. Cranleigh were in action in a triangular last weekend with short games, beating Bryanston and drawing with Sherborne, so they should feel in a good place too. It should be a top game.
Whitgift v Wellington College – Saturday, The Schools Championship, Live Stream
First and foremost, this game is played in memory of Seb Adeniran-Olule, a former pupil at both schools who so tragically died just a few years ago not long after leaving school. The game is played in his honour, with the winner receiving the Seb Adeniran-Olule Trophy. People can find out more about Seb’s story and the foundation in his name by visiting Seb’s Foundation. On the field of play, it’s Round 2 of The Schools Championship and it’s an absolutely massive one with both sides looking to make a point after defeats to unbelievably high class opponents last weekend. It’s a debut in The Schools Championship for Wellington College (this year sees Millfield, Sedbergh, Wellington College, and Whitgift competing in The Schools Championship), and they will be keen to make a massive mark after missing out on the opening round festivities up at Sedbergh. They were in action at home outside of TSC, going down to an incredibly good Harrow side that were absolutely on the money physically. Whitgift meanwhile are playing their second TSC game in a row after going down 46-10 to Sedbergh last weekend. The scoreline didn’t look pretty for Whitgift, but there were aspects of their performance that suggest big things to come this year and for a period with about 15 minutes to go it looked as though a comeback might be on. So this weekend is a massive one for both, and a bonus point win for either would see them level on points with Sedbergh at the top of the table. We will have all the action live streamed here on NextGenXV, with kick off at 2.30pm on Saturday.
Remaining Fixtures
It is a weekend that is absolutely stacked with brilliant fixtures, so much so that our Ten to Watch began as a 20 to Watch that we had to whittle down. For so many it is the first weekend of the season too, a long awaited one for those that had to cancel last weekend. Meanwhile it’s a welcome return for Scottish schools who had blanket cancellations last week.
Friday
Angus Colts v Dundee High School
Christ College v St Luke’s College
KCS Wimbledon v London Oratory
Reigate Grammar v Wallington County Grammar (at Old Reigatians)
St Peter’s, Gloucester v Solihill (at Cheltenham Rugby Club)
Wycliffe College v King’s Gloucester (at Cinderford RFC)
Once again it’s a busy Friday night as schools increasingly buy into the idea of Friday Night Lights fixtures. Old Reigations host Reigate Grammar v Wallington County Grammar, with Reigate Grammar looking to build on an incredibly strong start to the season, while Wallington look to bounce back from defeat to Tiffin. Staying around London, KCS Wimbledon are at home against London Oratory, and looking to make a mark after a narrow opening weekend defeat at home to Reed’s. For London Oratory, it’s a huge opening game of the season.
The South West has some massive Friday night games, Cheltenham Rugby Club plays host to St Peter’s Gloucester, who are welcoming a Solihull side that got off to an absolutely flying start last weekend. Along the road at Cinderford RFC Wycliffe College and King’s Gloucester are going head to head, while across the border in Wales Christ College Brecon are taking on St Luke’s College. Scotland has sees Friday night action as Dundee High School travel to take on club opposition in the form of Angus Colts.
Saturday
Abingdon v Marlborough College
AKS Lytham v Altrincham Grammar
Ashville Harrogate v Giggleswick
Austin Friars v Durham
Bablake & King Henry VIII v Nottingham High
Bedford v Rugby
Birkenhead v St Anselm’s College
Bloxham v King’s Worcester
Blundell’s v Millfield
Bradford Grammar v Stonyhurst
Brentwood v Ravens Wood
Bristol Cathedral v Clifton High
Bristol Grammar v Kingswood
Bromsgrove v Sir Thomas Rich’s
Canford v Hurstpierpoint College
Cathedral School, Llandaff v King’s College, Taunton
Caterham v King’s Canterbury
Christ’s Hospital v Cranbrook
Clayesmore v King’s Bruton
Colfe’s v Bancroft’s
Coopers’ Coborn v St Olave’s Grammar
Dame Allan’s v Ampleforth College
Dauntsey’s v KES Bath
Denstone College v St Peter’s, York
Dollar Academy v George Watson’s College
Downside v Bryanston
Eastbourne College v Sutton Valence
Exeter School v QEH
Felsted v Mill Hill
Fettes College v Strathallan
Framlingham College v RGS Colchester
Glasgow Academy v Kelvinside Academy
Gordon’s v Churcher’s College
Grammar School at Leeds v Cheadle Hulme
Gravesend Grammar v Maidstone Grammar
Gresham’s v The Leys
Gunnersbury v St Richard Reynolds (at Teddington RFC)
Harrow v Dulwich College
Hereford Cathedral School v Pate’s Grammar
Howe of Fife RFC v Morrison’s Academy
Hutchesons’ Grammar v Glasgow High
KES Birmingham v KES Stratford
King’s Macclesfield v QEGS Wakefield
Lancaster RGS v Kirkham Grammar
Langley Park v Dartford Grammar
Latymer Upper v Cardinal Vaughan
Leicester Grammar v Princethorpe College
Lord Wandsworth College v Portsmouth Grammar
Malvern College v Colston’s
Merchant Taylors’, Crosby v Manchester Grammar
Merchiston Castle v Stewart’s Melville
Monkton Combe v Prior Park College
Monmouth v Cheltenham College
Mount Kelly triangular: Mount Kelly, Truro School, Wellington School
Mount St Mary’s College v Pocklington
New Hall v Bishop’s Stortford High
Norwich v St Joseph’s College
Oratory v KES Southampton
Oundle v Stowe
Plymouth College v Queen’s College, Taunton
QES, Barnet v Bedford Modern
Radley College v Sherborne
RGS Guildford v Wimbledon College
RGS High Wycombe v St John’s, Leatherhead
RGS Newcastle v Sedbergh
Richard Hale v St George’s, Harpenden
Robert Gordon’s College v Glenalmond College
Ryde with Upper Chine v Embley
Sandbach v Wirral Grammar
Scarisbrick Hall v St Edward’s College, Liverpool
Sevenoaks v Worth
Skinners’ v John Fisher
St Ambrose College v Kirkham Grammar 2nd XV
St Albans Triangular: Robert Clack, St Albans, UCS
St Benedict’s v St George’s College, Weybridge
St Edward’s, Oxford v Pangbourne College
Stamford v Haileybury
The Grange v Lymm High
The Perse v Royal Hospital School
Tonbridge v The Judd
Trent College v Loughborough Grammar
Warminster v Wells Cathedral
Watford Grammar v Merchant Taylors’, Northwood
Warwick v Berkhamsted
West Buckland v Taunton
Wilmslow High v Stockport Grammar
Windsor Boys’ v Isleworth & Syon
Wymondham College v Langley
Saturday is a hugely busy day, looking like one of the busiest on the entire calendar, and with some absolutely massive games taking place. One side that are going to have the eyes of the country on them are RGS Guildford after that historic victory at Epsom College last weekend. On Saturday they host Wimbledon College, who will be looking to mate a statement after a tough outing against St Paul’s.
Another that is sure to attract a big audience is Warwick v Berkhamsted, one of the top sides of the last decade against the reigning Daily Mail Trophy champions. Berkhamsted’s defence got off to a winning start against RGS High Wycombe, but it was a tight game and they will be looking for more this weekend, for Warwick, meanwhile, it is the first game of that season and they will want to make a statement.
The reason it is their first is that their game against Bromsgrove last week was cancelled, so it’s a first game of the season for Bromsgrove too, who host Sir Thomas Rich’s in an absolutely massive game that is the first of the year for both. That Midlands section is absolutely packed with top fixtures this weekend, and one of the most prestigious will be in Oxford, where Radley College host Sherborne in a classic fixture that is the first of the season for both sides.
Radley’s next door neighbours Abingdon also have a massive game on Saturday as they welcome Marlborough College, a first game of the season for Abingdon and a dry run for their Cup game in a couple of weeks, while Marlborough College arrive with a victory over Canford already in their pocket. Also in Oxford, St Edward’s welcome Pangbourne College along the M40.
The big games just keep on coming and one of the most fascinating is going to be RGS High Wycombe v St John’s Leatherhead. Both lost incredibly tight games last weekend but will be buoyed by their efforts, which set up for a classic encounter on Saturday. Stowe travel to Oundle looking to bounce back from a tight defeat to Stamford last week, while Oundle will want to build quickly from a tough outing against Bedford. Both of those sides are in action in massive games too, Bedford hosting Rugby, who lost a good game to Oakham last time out, while Stamford look to build on that awesome start to the season at home against Haileybury, but Haileybury are not going to roll over easily after a great victory over Felsted last time out.
Futher West again, Bloxham and King’s Worcester go head to head in a promising looking game, so too KES Birmingham and KES Stratford. Meanwhile two sides that look as though they are going to be really worth keeping an eye on this season, Malvern College and, particularly, Collegiate go head to head. Bablake & King Henry VIII meanwhile welcome Nottingham High.
Nottingham High were meant to play local rivals Trent College last week, that was cancelled so Leicester Grammar open their account at home to Loughborough Grammar, while Leicester Grammar hostPrincethorpe College. Fellow Leicester Tigers catchment area school Denstone College are also in action, and they are in for an absolute stunning game as they welcome St Peter’s York, two schools that have really been climbing the schools rugby tree in recent times.
St Peter’s fellow Yorkshiremen Bradford Grammar are involved in one of the great schools rugby fixtures this weekend as they welcome Stonyhurst across the Pennines. It’s a similar trip for Cheadle Hulme, who travel to an excited Grammar School at Leeds on Saturday, while Ashville Harrogate host Giggleswick.
Mount St Mary’s College host Pocklington, while Ampleforth College look to bounce back from defeat last week with a trip north to take on Dame Allan’s. The North East plays host to some massive fixtures this weekend, and chief among them is surely Sedbergh’s trip to RGS Newcastle. Sedbergh are fresh from a victory against Whitgift last week, the first ever game in The Schools Championship that put them at the top of the pile early on (watch the whole game below). It’s a first official game meanwhile for RGS Newcastle, and what a way to start the season. Also in the area, Durham make the trip to Austin Friars for what ought to be another good game.
Across on to the North West where there are some huge fixtures, and one of the most keenly anticipated will be Lancaster RGS v Kirkham Grammar, a massive fixture and a first foray of the season for a Kirkham Grammar side that are expected to be among the best once again this season. Lancaster RGS aren’t going to be making this one easy though, especially at home, so expect a strong contest. Kirkham’s 2nd XV meanwhile head to St Ambrose College. There’s a derby in the Wirral as Birkenhead host St Anselm’s College, while Wirral Grammar School are up and running away from home at Sandbach.
King’s Macclesfield v QEGS Wakefield is a fixture that has featured some great players and great occasions down the years and Saturday should be no different, so too Wilmslow High School v Stockport Grammar. Manchester Grammar will be eager for a strong performance away against a tough Merchant Taylors’ Crosby side, with Lymm High at The Grange, AKS Lytham hosting Altrincham Grammar, at St Edward’s heading to Scarisbrick Hall.
Over in Wales there is one of the classic schools rugby fixtures as Cheltenham College, fresh from a good performance against Bloxham, head to Monmouth who are looking to bounce back from that narrow defeat to Old Swinford Hospital. Similarly King’s College Taunton head across the border to take on Cathedral School, Llandaff.
Millfield looked good on our live stream from Sedbergh School last weekend but ultimately fell to Clifton College, they will be keen to bounce back in another away trip on Saturday, this time heading to Blundell’s, who love this fixture. Monkton Combe were impressive last weekend with a strong performance against King’s Bruton, they host Prior Park College while King’s Bruton look to bounce back with a trip to Clayesmore.
At Mount Kelly there should be plenty of action as Truro School and Wellington School head over for a triangular. Meanwhile Exeter School are hosting QEH and Plymouth College host Queen’s College Taunton. There is a double bill in Bristol where Bristol Cathedral host Clifton High, and there is a massive fixture between Bristol Grammar and Kingswood.
Dauntseys v KES Bath has the potential to be a top game, while Downside v Bryanston features two sides that have produced some of the great schools rugby sides of the past. Elsewhere there is a tricky trip forPate’s Grammar to Hereford Cathedral School, while Warminster welcome Wells Cathedral and West Buckland host Taunton School.
Hurstpierpoint College had a thrilling game against St John’s Leatherhead last time out, now they head to Canford looking to make it two in a row. On the South Coast Lord Wandsworth College host Portsmouth Grammar, meanwhile travelling after their victory over Portsmouth Grammar are KES Southampton, who take on The Oratory, who had a good Vase win in midweek. Along the road Windsor Boys’ welcome Isleworth & Syon.
One of the biggest games in the country this weekend is Harrow v Dulwich College, two giants of the school game. It is the first game of the season for Dulwich College, while for Harrow it is a chance to back up that absolutely magnificent victory over Wellington College last weekend. It will be a tough ask for Dulwich against a side that is surely one of the best around, but they are an unknown force with this being their first game and could catch their opponents cold. Elsewhere in the capital Latymer Upper are hosting Cardinal Vaughan, while there is a special event at Teddington RFC as Gunnersbury host St Richard Reynolds.
Another to keep an eye on is St Benedict’s first game of the season, a third pace finish in the Daily Mail Trophy last season was extraordinary, their quest to repeat that feat begins at home to St George’s College Weybridge on Saturday. Watford Grammar meanwhile welcome Merchant Taylors’, while Colfe’s and Bancroft’s go head to head with St Olave’s Grammar at Coopers’ Coborn.
One game that we at NextGenXV are particularly looking forward to is Skinners’ v John Fisher. It is one of the biggest state school games in the country, two schools that have produced some wonderful sides down the years, and for Skinners’ a chance to build on a good start after a brilliant 2021/22 season. Staying in Kent there is a big game between Sevenoaks and Worth, while Eastbourne College take on a huge challenge in the form of Sutton Valence, who have been so good in recent years. Tonbridge meanwhile aim to bounce back from defeat to Brighton College as they host a tricky customer in the form of The Judd on Saturday.
Gravesend Grammar v Maidstone Grammar has a classic derby feel to it and should be a well contested game, while further West Caterham are hosting King’s Canterbury as Caterham look to back up last week’s performance against Sevenoaks. Langley Park meanwhile welcome Dartford Grammar and Embley are at Ryde with Upper Chine.
Gordon’s non ACE side versus Churcher’s College has the ring of a good game, so too Christ’s Hospital hosting Cranbrook. Ravens Wood’s trip to Brentwood should also yield a really top game of rugby.
Staying in East Anglia, Felsted are looking for a quick return to form as they welcome Mill Hill, meanwhile New Hall are in action against Bishop’s Stortford High. In Suffolk Framlingham College, a growing force, host RGS Colchester, while Ipswich’s St Joseph’s College head to Norwich for a classic Suffolk/Norfolk derby.
In Wymondham College host Langley, while Gresham’s welcome Cambridge’s The Leys – that one should see two well matched teams. As should the game in Cambridge where The Perse welcome Royal Hospital School, both have had some really strong sides in recent times.
Over in Hertfordshire the St Albans triangular will hopefully see plenty of good play, with Robert Clack and UCS coming to town. Meanwhile QES Barnet host Bedford Modern and Richard Hale welcome St George’s Harpenden.
Rugby returns to Scotland on Saturday after a blanket cancellation last week and there are some massive fixtures, chief among them Merchiston Castle v Stewart’s Melville. There will be future Scotland internationals aplenty there, and so too at Dollar Academy v George Watson’s College. Fettes College meanwhile host Strathallan, another really top end encounter.
Elsewhere, Robert Gordon’s College welcome in Glenalmond College, with Glasgow Academy hosting Kelvinside Academy and Glasgow High School heading to Hutchesons’ Grammar. Morrison’s Academy meanwhile take on club opposition in the form of Howe of Fife.
If you have any photos, videos, clips, stories, or reports from the weekend please do send them in.
For enquiries about live streaming of future games, please contact richard@nextgenxv.com
