With just a week to go before half term and the St Joseph’s and Merchiston Castle Festivals, this weekend is a chance for many to sign off for the break in style, for others to lock in that unbeaten half term, and for some to get that welcome confidence boost.
Of course for many there is another week to go before the break, but in all cases, this is a huge weekend of schools rugby.
Huge as well because this weekend marks the return of The Schools Championship, it’s round 3 as sees Wellington College host Millfield in a 2.45pm kick off that will be streamed LIVE on NextGenXV, you can watch it on our YouTube Channel or embedded here.
It will be Millfield’s TSC debut and a win could see them joining Sedbergh and Wellington College at the top of the table, Sedbergh won the opening game of the Championship with a 46-10 defeat of Whitgift, before Wellington College beat the same opposition in a thriller, 29-28. That left Sedbergh top of the pile on points difference, so a win for Wellington College would see them as the leaders at the half way point.
Regardless of position though, the style of both sides, seen so brilliantly in last year’s thriller, means that this is going to be a return of TSC that is not to be missed.
Of course it is far from the only rugby this weekend, some of the oldest fixtures in schools rugby are taking place as well as some new and engaging rivalries, it’s a weekend that’s not to be missed.
Ten to Watch
We begin our weekly preview, as ever, with our Ten to Watch, and what a ten it is this week with some absolutely fantastic fixtures, both historically and within the context of this season.
Bedford v Dulwich College
The longest running continuous fixture in rugby (barring Covid), and therefore a genuine schoolboy classic. On the field it is usually a wonderful atmosphere, this year Bedford are looking in good for – they are actually unbeaten, with three wins and two draws to date. For Dulwich it has been a tougher start to the season, they are yet to pick up a victory, yet this is always such a special date on the calendar that we can expect a strong performance. Last year’s game was a thriller 29-24 to Bedford, following back to back victories for Dulwich, another close thriller like last year would be ideal!
Denstone College v Woodhouse Grove
Denstone’s intense start to the season continues on Saturday with an early afternoon kick off at home to Woodhouse Grove, who themselves have booked in an intense start to the year. Denstone’s start has been strong, only Ipswich have got the better of them, and even that was a late thriller, and they will be keen to build and keep momentum ahead of a St Joseph’s Festival where they could be a real force. For Woodhouse Grove results have been less kind, but in Barnard Castle, RGS Newcastle, and Sedbergh, they have faced probably the three toughest teams in the region – they are well prepped for this one. It was tight last year, 14-13 to Woodhouse Grove and hopes will be for a close one again this year
Epsom College v Hampton
NextGenXV’s first ever live stream was a superb game between Epsom College and Hampton and the two meet again on Saturday. The start to the season hasn’t been the easiest for Epsom College but against local rivals St John’s they clinched a morale boosting victory and then performed really well against Whitgift in defeat in the Cup. Indeed in all three defeats they have been in the game and that is half the battle. Against Hampton they may face arguably their stiffest test yet, Hampton have won five from five and are looking like serious contenders at the St Joseph’s Festival. They will be absolutely desperate not to break that momentum ahead of the Festival, and indeed of their Schools Cup second round game in midweek. It could be a huge season for them. First though, they must conquer an Epsom College side that will know they will need to be at their best, as they were in last year’s tight 21-18 victory.
Ipswich v Seaford College
Another week, another massive game for these two. It has been a tough week for Ipswich after the highs of that late comeback against Denstone College, heading up to Sedbergh in the howling wind and rain, where they put up a strong performance but ended up as Sedbergh’s latest victim, before then heading back to Suffolk to take on an inspired Finborough side in the Cup, who duly did to Ipswich what they had to NSB the week before – won. So Ipswich are going to be going all out on Saturday, particularly as they look to build confidence ahead of the Merchiston Castle Festival next weekend, and that is exactly what Seaford College will be doing too. They are looking to defend that title and on Saturday would see defeat of Ipswich as a massive feather in the cap en route to beginning that defence. It’s been a mixed season so far results wise, but in every game Seaford have been in it, and all things point towards a classic on Saturday.
Kirkham Grammar v Northampton School for Boys
These two are not afraid to travel to match their ambitions and once again both put in the miles to take on strong opposition. Kirkham Grammar School looked like one of the best in the country in our live stream of their game against Clifton College earlier in the season, the challenge for them is that this was one of only two games so far this season, and with a St Joseph’s Festival title challenge ahead of them, they will want a strong showing on Saturday. NSB, in contrast have four games in the bag, two wins and two defeats, but four games played at a huge standard, running Denstone close, beating Ipswich, also Bedford Modern in the Cup, and falling to Finborough in the first of the Suffolk school’s seismic performances. It should be an absolutely massive encounter on Saturday.
Marlborough College v Eton College
Another classic schools rugby encounter and one between two sides that are playing some wonderful rugby at the moment. Marlborough have dropped just the one game, an absolute thriller against Rugby School last week and have been in real form prior to that as they build towards their St Joseph’s Festival debut. Eton College, meanwhile, are unbeaten and are coming off the back to successive draws, thrilling games against Bedford, 19-19, and Tonbridge, 12-12. Suspicion is that this one will not be too far away from a similar result, both are playing at a really strong level at the moment.
Stowe v Rugby
It has been a couple of weeks since Stowe last played, where they stormed through to the second round of the Cup, but it’s been a good couple of weeks anyway with Archie McParland and Henry Pollock being involved with Northampton Saints in the Premiership Cup, and Pollock scoring twice in his senior starting debut on Wednesday in a stunning display – at just 17. That will likely have inspired his teammates and they will be itching to get out there anyway after so long without a game. Rugby will need to be at their best then to withstand that, but signs so far this season are that they can withstand plenty. Incredibly they have been involved in two high scoring draws, 29-29 with Bedford and 36-36 with Warwick. Quite extraordinary. A game of similar closeness would be an epic in the pristine setting that is Stowe.
The Judd v RGS Guildford
Among the very biggest fixtures on the card this weekend though is one that perhaps most would not usually cast their eye towards, The Judd vs RGS Guildford. Two sides landing some heavy blows this year, with The Judd defeating Tonbridge and RGS Guildford beating Epsom College – noisy neighbours indeed, to paraphrase Sir Alex Ferguson. Both are on stunning form, Judd are four from four and yet to really be challenged, they have only conceded two trys all year, meanwhile RGS have won four and have just a very tight defeat to St John’s to their name. This could be a massive game.
Warwick v Stamford
We are hugely excited about this game, it feels as though anything could happen. Warwick still feel almost like an unknown quantity at the moment, a loss to what looks more and more like a very good Berkhamsted side followed by a draw (that saw Warwick progress) in the Cup against Rugby – 36-36! – and a thrilling 34-32 defeat of Samuel Whitbread Academy, and also a thrilling 28 all draw with Stowe in pre-season. If suggests a strong Warwick outfit, but it also suggests that we are more likely than not to get an absolute thriller on Saturday because Stamford, without having faced too many of the same opponents, feel roughly similar to Warwick – not least because of a tight 12-10 victory over Stowe. Since then they lost a close on to Haileybury and then had back to back strong performances over Bedford Modern and Uppingham but this will be a step up from there. It should be an awesome game, and we will definitely have learned a lot about both by the end of it.
Wellington College v Millfield (The Schools Championship – LIVE on NextGenXV)
The Schools Championship returns for round 3 and a game between two schools rugby giants. Last year these to played a thriller at Millfield, won by a glorious late try from Millfield’s Amir Sultan-Edwards, while Wellington scrum half Murdoch Lock put on a masterclass of scrum half play. Expect similar this year, both have an attacking mindset and a willingness to try things from anywhere. For a full preview of this game, head to this link: Wellington College host Millfield in Round 3 of The Schools Championship – meantime, check out how these two played in our other live streams of them above and below!
Friday
Reading Blue Coat v Churcher’s College
St John’s, Leatherhead v Trinity (at Esher RFC)
A much quieter Friday night than in other weeks this season, just two games to get stuck into but two strong games. St John’s Leatherhead, who made our Top 5 School Teams of the Weekend on the most recent episode of the NextGenXV Podcast (listen below) after beating RGS Guildford, host Schools Cup holders Trinity who are unbeaten and in flying form ahead of next week’s Cup tie against Whitgift and their debut St Joseph’s Festival. So both side should have plenty of confidence ahead of what should be a special night.
Reading Blue Coat are also in action on Friday, hosting Churcher’s College. Reading Blue Coat are having a great season, really pushing themselves with their fixture list and pushing some big names such as St Paul’s and Cranleigh really close. Our live cameras took in their game against Shiplake College, see below, where they were magnificent, and they will be looking forward to a big Friday night game this week. So too will Churcher’s though, who have also been pushing themselves, running sides such as Gordon’s and Reigate Grammar close and enjoying a strong performance against Portsmouth Grammar.
Saturday
Ampleforth College v Durham
Barnard Castle v Lancaster RGS
Bishop Wordsworth’s v Canford
Bloxham v Magdalen College
Bolton v Giggleswick
Bromsgrove v Monmouth
Bryanston v Warminster
Calday Grange Grammar v The Grange
Cardinal Vaughan v Wisbech Grammar
Cheltenham College v St Edward’s, Oxford
Christ College v Mount Kelly
Christ’s Hospital v King’s Canterbury
Clayesmore v KES Southampton
Clifton College v Bristol Grammar
Clifton High v Rendcombe College
Collegiate v KES Bath
Coopers’ Coborn v RGS Colchester
Dartford Grammar v Skinners’
Dean Close v Sir Thomas Rich’s
Downside v Wells Cathedral
Eastbourne College v Sevenoaks
Ellesmere College v Bablake & King Henry VIII
Eltham College v Colfe’s (Schools Bowl)
Exeter School v Topsham RFC
Felsted v Oundle
Framlingham College v Norwich
Fulham Boys v Gunnersbury (at Grasshoppers RFC)
Gordon’s 2nd XV v Latymer Upper
Grammar School at Leeds v Bradford Grammar
Gravesend Grammar v Brentwood
Gresham’s v Royal Hospital School
Haileybury v Reed’s
Hurstpierpoint College v Brighton College
Hutton Grammar v Merchant Taylors’, Crosby
John Fisher v Langley Park
KCS Wimbledon v Cranleigh
King’s Gloucester v Cathedral School, Llandaff
King’s Rochester v Duke of York’s Royal Military
Loretto v Glenalmond College
Lymm High v Stockport Grammar
Maidstone Grammar v Sir Joseph Williamson’s
Malvern College v RGS Worcester
Manchester Grammar v Kirkham Grammar 2nd XV
Marr College v Glasgow High
Merchant Taylors’, Northwood v Mill Hill
Merchiston Triangular: George Heriot’s, Merchiston Castle, Peebles High
Mount St Mary’s College v Stonyhurst
Old Swinford Hospital v Solihull
Oswestry v St David’s College, Llandudno
Pangbourne College v Dauntsey’s
Prior Park College v QEH
Portsmouth Grammar v Ryde
Queen’s College, Taunton v Leweston
Richard Hale v Bancroft’s
Robert Clack v St Joseph’s College 2nd XV
Scarisbrick Hall v Knutsford Academy
Sherborne v Abingdon
Shiplake College v UCS
Silcoates v Austin Friars
St Albans v Campion
St Ambrose College v St Anselm’s College
St Columba’s College v QES Barnet
St Dunstan’s College v St Olave’s Grammar
St George’s College, Weybridge v London Oratory
St George’s, Harpenden v Watford Grammar
St Lawrence College v Cranbrook
St Mary’s College v Birkenhead (Schools Bowl)
St Paul’s v RGS High Wycombe
St Peter’s, York v Sedbergh
Taunton v Blundell’s
The Crypt v KES Stratford (at Old Cryptians)
The Leys v Bishop’s Stortford College
The Oratory v Aylesbury Grammar
The Perse v Bishop’s Stortford High
Tiffin v Wimbledon College
Tom Burrows Cup: At Silcoates
Tonbridge v Radley College
Trent College v Pocklington
Truro v Plymouth College
Uppingham v Bedford Modern
Wellingborough v Loughborough Grammar
West Buckland v Wellington School
Wilmslow High v Sandbach
Wirral Grammar v Cheadle Hulme
Worksop College v Nottingham High
Worth v Reigate Grammar (Schools Vase)
Wycliffe College v Kingswood
With a quieter Friday than usual, Saturday is, quite simply, a beast of a day. All over the country the fixtures stack up and they are big clashes as well. Bromsgrove v Monmouth is a massive game, two huge schools going head to head a look to find a touch of balance in a season that has seen some great performances and some tricky losses.
Similarly in the North of England there are some genuine classic. Ampleforth College v Durham is a game that pits one of the oldest rugby playing schools around, Durham, against a side with one of the great dynasties of yesteryear, Ampleforth. Anytime they go head to head is special, but hopefully this year it should be a top encounter on the field too. So too Barnard Castle v Lancaster RGS two schools rugby giants, and Barnard Castle are looking for some strong performances to lead into half term.
Another schools rugby classic is Tonbridge v Radley College, two of the oldest rugby clubs in the country. Tonbridge’s season got off to a rocky start but they have slowly build, a draw with Eton a fortnight ago followed by a strong victory over Skinners’ last week. Radley will be a step up from there, but Tonbridge will be believing in themselves, Radley have been up and down so far, with victories over Sherborne and Teddies, a tough outing at Bedford, and losing out in a thriller to St Paul’s. Predicting where this one will end up feels near impossible, but one thing seems certain – the atmosphere on the touchlines and the action on the pitch will be absolutely electric on the way to finding out.
The South West has some beauties too, Cheltenham College v St Edward’s Oxford, a huge game in the Cotswolds that should be an epic, meanwhile down the road Dean Close host Sir Thomas Rich’s, two sides that have contributed so much, like Cheltenham, to Gloucester Rugby in recent years. It truly is the weekend that keeps on giving.
Particularly in that general South Western area, which seems to have its busiest weekend of the year to date. Clifton College are playing some of the best rugby in the country at the moment, and this week it is Bristol Grammar with the challenge of stopping them. Bristol Grammar are playing some good stuff, but this will be a big challenge. Along the road, Clifton High School welcome Rendcombe College, while elsewhere Downside host Wells Cathedral and Prior Park College have an exciting matchup with QEH.
Collegiate have a big game against KES Bath, both sides looking capable of strong performances this year. Meanwhile back towards Gloucester Old Cryptians plays host to The Crypt vs KES Stratford, and King’s Gloucester welcome Welsh side Cathedral School, Llandaff. Heading over the border to Wales are Mount Kelly, they take on a Christ College side that is looking absolutely brilliant at the moment.
Taunton School take on Blundell’s, who seem to be really hitting their stride now. Meanwhile Queen’s College Taunton seem to be getting their numbers back and are hosting Leweston. Elsewhere, Wycliffe College are back in action at home to Kingswood, while Bryanstone are hosting Warminster.
In Dorset, Sherborne host Abingdon in what is always a huge game. Both are probably yet to find their absolute best form, and yet both have shown signs of what they can do – if it all comes together on Saturday, we could get a cracker. Over in Wiltshire there is an interesting one too and Bishop Wordsworth’s host Canford, 10 days on from having done so in the Cup. Canford won that one 31-19, will the gap narrow on Saturday.
Elsewhere, in Cornwall, Truro School host Plymouth College, while in Devon it is club opposition for Exeter School, in the form of Topsham RFC. West Buckland meanwhile take on Wellington School, which should be a really competitive game.
Further north into Worcestershire there is a massive game as Mavlern College host RGS Worcester, a huge game for Malvern in particular ahead of the Border Shield next Friday.
Not far away there is another massive game, Old Swinford Hospital v Solihull, two sides that have had some absolutely incredible results so far this season and a couple of disappointments. Sense is that they should be well matched, and fingers crossed it will be fantastic. Over in Oxfordshire Bloxham host Magdalen College, always a fun game, while back further West Oswestry host Welsh side St David’s Colelge, and Ellesmere College welcome Bablake & King Henry VIII.
The North West, meanwhile, has a busy day and among the great fixtures is Wirral Grammar v Cheadle Hulme. Wirral are getting some great results at the moment, but Cheadle Hulme will provide a stern test. St Ambrose College host St Anselm’s College, and Wirral’s local rivals Calday Grange Grammar are hosting The Grange, meanwhile Wilmslow High School host Sandbach.
There is Schools Bowl action in the north west as Birkenhead travel over to St Mary’s College. While the Kirkham Grammar School 1st XV are taking on NSB, the Kirkham Grammar 2nd XV head to Manchester Grammar for what will be a massive challenge. Meanwhile in another game that has had some greats down the years, Lymm High host Stockport Grammar. Scarisbrick Hall are also in action, hosting Knutsford Academy.
Bolton, meanwhile are hosting Yorkshire opposition in the form of Giggleswick, which should be a good one. Yorkshire and the North East has loads of action, chief among it all the Tom Burrows Cup at Silcoates, where Newcastle School for Boys, Yarm, Austin Friars, and Dame Allan’s will be among those competing in what will be an absolutely brilliant occasion as ever.
That aside, Sedbergh’s trip to St Peter’s York stands out, Sedbergh are running riot at the moment and made it into out Top 5 in this week’s NextGenXV Podcast. They will be favourites against a St Peter’s side that has been struggling a touch, but expect Sedbergh to make this one an open game. Elsewhere in Yorkshire, Bradford Grammar’s trip to Grammar School at Leeds will be a good contest, so too Stonyhurst’s trip to Mount St Mary’s College, both of whom have played some glorious stuff this year.
In Nottinghamshire, Worksop College welcome Nottingham High School, Trent College meanwhile welcome Pocklington down from Yorkshire. Rutland sees Uppingham looking for a first victory of the season against a Bedford Modern side that is playing some of their best rugby in years. It has all the potential to be a cracker. Wellingborough meanwhile welcome Loughborough Grammar School.
Hertfordshire is busy as ever, and a standout game sees Haileybury welcoming Reed’s, two teams that are quietly putting together very impressive seasons. Look out also for St Albans, who are absolutely flying at the moment, Campion will have to be at their best to keep them at bay. Richard Hale, also in top form, host Bancroft’s, while St Columba’s College host QES Barent and St George’s Harpenden host Watford Grammar.
Slightly further East, both Bishop’s Stortford Schools head to Cambridge, Bishop’s Stortford College are at The Leys, while The Perse host Bishop’s Stortford High. Deeper into East Anglia, Felsted are at home against Oundle, a great fixture, while Coopers’ Coborn host RGS Colchester and Robert Clack welcome St Joseph’s College’s 2nd XV – the first XV are well and truly in Festival mode.
Framlingham College v Norwich has the look of being a top fixture and could be a great watch, similarly Royal Hospital’s trip to Gresham’s.
In and around London things are, as ever, busy. KCS Wimbledon host Cranleigh in what was a signature game of KCS last year en route to their stunning season. Neither side is quite where they were last year, at least at present, but this is still a massive game and one to watch. KCS’ local rivals Wimbledon College are in action at Tiffin, while Fulham Boys and Gunnersbury head over to Grasshoppers RFC. Meanwhile John Fisher are looking to bounce back as they host Langley Park, while Cardinal Vaughan welcome Wisbech Grammar to Twickenham.
St Paul’s v RGS High Wycombe bits two giants together, and should actually be a very good game with both side looking well matched so far. North of the river Merchant Taylors’ welcome Mill Hill, while in the South East there is Schools Bowl action as Eltham College host Colfe’s.
Further into the South East, Dartford Grammar host Skinners’, who are looking to bounce back from defeat to Tonbridge, with Gravesend Grammar hosting Brentwood and King’s Rochester hosting Duke of York’s Royal Military. Maidstone Grammar meanwhile welcome Sir Joseph Williamson’s and St Dunstan’s College are hosting St Olave’s, while Cranbrook head to St Lawrence College.
Working around the M25 towards the West, Reigate Grammar head to Worth for a great game that also doubles up as a Schools Vase fixture, while St George’s College Weybridge welcome London Oratory and Gordon’s non-ACE side host Latymer Upper.
Brighton College head to Hurstpierpoint College, although both heavyweights may have just half an eye on the St Joseph’s Festival next week. In form Eastbourne College are at home against Sevenoaks, with Portsmouth Grammar hosting Ryde and King’s Canterbury travelling to Christ’s Hospital.
Continuing around the M25 and along the M4, The Oratory host Aylesbury Grammar and Shiplake College will be keen for a good performance at home against UCS, while Pangbourne College host Dauntsey’s.
Up in Scotland it is a fairly quiet weekend, Merchiston Castle host a triangular ahead of next week’s Festival, with George Heriot’s and Peebles High the visitors. Meanwhile Marr College host Glasgow High School and Loretto welcome Glenalmond College.
