The 2022 St Joseph’s Festival is almost upon us and excitement is reaching boiling point ahead of what could well be the most competitive St Joseph’s Festival in history.
A fairly strong case could be made for over half the field as potential champions, even picking a favourite is a challenge at this stage, such is the competitiveness of the draw for the Festival, with kicks off on Saturday 15thOctober and concludes on Sunday 16th.
Already one of the key dates on the schools rugby calendar as a result of a reputation built over 35 years of drama, intense competition, and a challenging schedule both mentally and physically, as well as a wonderful experience on and off the field, this year’s draw has almost lifted it up a notch further.
Live Streaming
NextGenXV will on again be live streaming every single second of the action at the St Joseph’s Festival, with a full broadcast of the action on both Pitch 1 and Pitch 2 on both days, with the inimitable Joe Byrnes presenting the broadcast and a stellar cast of commentators including Wilf Kemsley, Tom Read, Will Roberts, and St Joseph’s own Will Stace, plus a whole host of co-commentators and any injured players and actively encouraged to come and share their thoughts, so too coaches and any rugby stars that might be lurking amongst the parental bodies or the sponsorship stalls!
You will be able to watch all of the action on our YouTube Channel (www.youtube.com/nextgenxv) on our TikTok page, and you can also find the broadcasts for Day 1 embedded below.
An Epic 2021 & New Teams for 2022
After a year’s absence due to covid, the first time since its inception that the Festival has not been held, the Festival returned with a roar in 2021 and a record breaking roar at that. There was a new format to get used to, gone were the Day 2 groups, reverting instead to a knockout format on Day 2 with a Trophy, Plate, Bowl, and Shield setup.
No matter the format though, one side has found a way to conquer the St Joseph’s Festival over and over again, Millfield. Perhaps then it was fitting that when the tournament returned from absence it was Millfield that would lift the crown, and in doing so break the record for titles won that they had previously shared with Colston’s (now Collegiate), now standing alone on 7 titles. A feat all the more remarkable when you consider that apart from Colston’s on 6 titles, their nearest challengers at Bradford Grammar, SGS Filton College, and St Joseph’s College on 3, and of those only St Joseph’s College are still in attendance.
The new format proved a great success though, Kirkham Grammar School claimed the Plate having been many people’s early Day 1 favourites for the De La Salle Trophy, meanwhile Festival old-timers RGS High Wycombe proved that they still know their way around this corner of Suffolk en route to the Bowl
The hosts, meanwhile, won the Shield, and along the way had to ride their luck and hold their nerve with one of the Festivals other new introductions – penalty shoot-outs. With a move from league tables on Day 2 to knockout games, and the shortness of the games, something was needed to separate sides from draws. Given the inherent unfairness of first try scorer, particularly in such a format, and the tournament’s penchant for drama, penalty shoot-outs were declared the answer.
And what an answer. Drama to the last, the very essence of the St Joseph’s Festival.
That drama is surely only going to increase this year with three new entrants that seem certain to add to the strength and to the fun of the Festival, Scottish stalwarts Strathallan, English school royalty Marlborough College, and reigning U18 Schools Cup champions Trinity School, who, at the time of writing, just so happen to arrive unbeaten.
Wellington College won the 2019 Festival in their first appearance in fifteen years, could one of these three win it at the first attempt?
2022 Final Standings
1st – Millfield (De La Salle Trophy Champions)
2nd – Brighton College
3rd – Wellington College
4th – Denstone College
5th – Kirkham Grammar (Plate Champions)
6th – Hampton
7th – Dulwich College
8th – Hurstpierpoint College
9th – RGS High Wycombe (Bowl Champions)
10th – RGS Newcastle
11th – Whitchurch High
12th – Cheltenham College
13th – St Joseph’s College (Shield Champions)
14th – King’s Worcester
15th – QEGS Wakefield
16th – Eltham College
The Groups & Format
For detail on each group, do check out our Team by Team guide, which will be published on Wednesday and also includes our predictions for which teams will reach the De La Salle Trophy quarter finals – and a chance for you to predict your ultimate winner.
The top two teams from each group will go to the De La Salle Trophy Quarter Finals, while the bottom two will go to the Bowl Quarter Finals. Losing quarter finalists will go to the Plate and Shield semi finals respectively, and all losing semi finalists from the Trophy, Plate, Bowl, and Shield, will play a third place play-off, meaning that every team will play six games over the weekend, three per day. It also means that every team will receive a final position from 1-16.
Group 1 – Denstone College, Dulwich College, Hurstpierpoint College, Wellington College
Two former champions in Group 1, in 2011 winners Dulwich College, and 2019 victors Wellington College, who are among the favourites this year after a third place finish last year. Alongside them are the side they pipped to third last year, Denstone College, another big contender, and Hurstpierpoint College, who finished 8th last year.
Group 2 – Kirkham Grammar, Marlborough College, Trinity, Whitchurch High
Two news teams in Group 2 and both can be expected to challenge well, Marlborough College are playing well and Trinity come with the might of a Schools Cup title in their back pocket. Who did that title come against? None other than Kirkham Grammar School, another big favourite, who reached the final on their debut in 2019 and won the Plate last time out. Whitchurch High School, who finished 11th last year, complete the group.
Group 3 – Millfield, QEGS Wakefield, RGS Newcastle, Strathallan
Three champions in one group, chief among them the 7 time champions and holders Millfield, who arrive off the back of that stunning victory over Wellington College. Joining them are RGS Newcastle, 2018 champions and a side that might just fancy another crack, and the 1997 champions QEGS Wakefield. New entrants Strathallan complete the group and will look to make an immediate impact.
Group 4 – Brighton College, Hampton, RGS High Wycombe, St Joseph’s College
The group of death? Possibly so, all four sides are former champions, Brighton College most recently in 2017 and they also reached last year’s final and will be challengers again. 2015 champions Hampton are maybe even bigger contenders this year after a flying start to the season, while 1999 champions RGS High Wycombe can simply never be overlooked. The big unknown in the pack though are the hosts, St Joseph’s College, three time champions. They are simply always a threat here, such is the emotional tie that they have to this Festival and what it means. They are playing well this season too and will give absolutely everything in the quest for a fourth title. This group is not to be missed.
The History
The history of the St Joseph’s Festival is like an abridged version of the history of the last 35 years of school rugby. Colston’s mid-90s/early 00s dominance, well that shows in their six titles between 1994 and 2003, including three in a row between 2001 and 2003. Bradford Grammar School’s dominance in the late 80s/early 90s, covered too, three titles from 1988 to 1992.
It’s all there, the rise of the AASE/ACE programme reflected in three titles for SGS Filton College between 2005 and 2008, the separation of schools and AASE/ACE rugby thereafter reflected in no further champions from the competition. Dulwich College’s dynasty, sparked by a title in 2011, the emergence as major forces of the likes of Hampton, Cranleigh, and Brighton College with titles in 2015, 2016, and 2017. Wellington College’s own dynastic period reaching it’s zenith in 2019 with a maiden title, swiftly followed by a Champions Trophy title 6 weeks later.
Through it all Millfield, irrepressibly brilliant. Two titles in the 90s, two in the 2000s, two in the 2010s, one so far in the 2020s – who would bet against them continuing that streak or better in the next eight tournaments.
The St Joseph’s Festival has always had a knack of attracting the very best in schools rugby, in part due to the tournaments own ambitions, but largely due to the desire for schools to compete with and against the best. No matter the era or the ethos of the time, good players have always wanted simply to compete, even when it’s hard…especially when it’s hard.
And if there is one thing there has been an abundance of at the Festival it is good players, just a quick scroll through the list of players of the tournament will tell you that, Andy Goode and Nick Duncombe in the 1990s, Olly Morgan and Jonathan Joseph in the 2000s, more recently Lewis Ludlam, Zach Mercer, and a simply stunning tournament from Marcus Smith in 2016.
It is, quite simply, a magical place to be. To witness special teams, uniquely talented players, and a sense of competition, passion, and togetherness that is simply unrivalled in the school game.
List of Champions
| 2021 | Millfield | 2009 | John Fisher | 1997 | QEGS Wakefield |
| 2020 | Cancelled | 2008 | SGS Filton College | 1996 | Colston’s |
| 2019 | Wellington College | 2007 | SGS Filton College | 1995 | St Joseph’s College |
| 2018 | RGS Newcastle | 2006 | Millfield | 1994 | Colston’s |
| 2017 | Brighton College | 2005 | SGS Filton College | 1993 | Millfield |
| 2016 | Cranleigh | 2004 | Millfield | 1992 | Bradford Grammar |
| 2015 | Hampton | 2003 | Colston’s | 1991 | Bradford Grammar |
| 2014 | Millfield | 2002 | Colston’s | 1990 | Millfield |
| 2013 | St Joseph’s College | 2001 | Colston’s | 1989 | AKS Arnold |
| 2012 | Millfield | 2000 | Blackrock College | 1988 | Bradford Grammar |
| 2011 | Dulwich College | 1999 | RGS High Wycombe | 1987 | Downside |
| 2010 | St Joseph’s College | 1998 | Colston’s |
Player of the Tournament:
| 2021 | Jonny Smith (Brighton College) | 2011 | Max Northcote-Green (Millfield) | 2001 | M Burton (Colston’s) |
| 2020 | Cancelled | 2010 | Alex Day (St Joseph’s College) | 2000 | G Noonan (Blackrock College) |
| 2019 | Phil Brantingham (RGS Newcastle) | 2009 | Chris Smart (Bedford) | 1999 | Nick Duncombe (RGS High Wycombe) |
| 2018 | Dan John (Millfield) | 2008 | Jonathan Joseph (Millfield) | 1998 | A Lloyd (Colston’s) |
| 2017 | Toby Smith (Brighton College) | 2007 | Luke Plummer (SGS Filton College) | 1997 | Andy Goode (Bromsgrove) |
| 2016 | Marcus Smith (Brighton College) | 2006 | Ryan Manyika (Brighton College) | 1996 | E Smithies (QEGS Wakefield) |
| 2015 | Roman Malin-Hiscock (Hampton) | 2005 | T Parker (Millfield) & O Crosby (St Joseph’s College) | 1995 | C Jack (St Joseph’s College) |
| 2014 | Zach Mercer (Merchiston Castle) | 2004 | W Harries (Millfield) | 1994 | M Pitt (Campion) |
| 2013 | Dan Lewis & Lewis Ludlam (both St Joseph’s College) | 2003 | Olly Morgan (Millfield) | 1993 | R Jones (Millfield) |
| 2012 | Sam Denham (Millfield) | 2002 | S Crowley (Millfield) | 1992 | P Michell (Wellington College) |
The Schedule
As in 2021, the tournament sees the sixteen teams divided into four groups of four on day one. The teams will play the others in the group on Day 1 and the top two from each group will go through to the Trophy quarter finals on Day 2, with the bottom two going to the Bowl.
From there it’s all knockout rugby on Sunday, with the losing Trophy and Bowl quarter finalists going to the Plate and Shield semi finals respectively, and all losing semi finalists playing in a third place play off.
Saturday – Day 1 Groups
| Group 1 | Group 2 | Group 3 | Group 4 |
| Denstone College | Kirkham Grammar | Millfield | Brighton College |
| Dulwich College | Marlborough College | QEGS Wakefield | Hampton |
| Hurstpierpoint College | Trinity | RGS Newcastle | RGS High Wycombe |
| Wellington College | Whitchurch High | Strathallan | St Joseph’s College |
Saturday – Fixtures
| Time | Pitch 1 | Pitch 2 |
| 9am | Hurstpierpoint College v Wellington College | Denstone College v Dulwich College |
| 9.40am | Trinity v Whitchurch High | Kirkham Grammar v Marlborough College |
| 10.20am | QEGS Wakefield v Strathallan | Millfield v RGS Newcastle |
| 11am | Hampton v St Joseph’s College | Brighton College v RGS High Wycombe |
| 11.40am | Dulwich College v Wellington College | Denstone College v Hurstpierpoint College |
| 12.20pm | Marlborough College v Whitchurch High | Kirkham Grammar v Trinity |
| 1.30pm | Millfield v Strathallan | QEGS Wakefield v RGS Newcastle |
| 2.10pm | Brighton College v St Joseph’s College | Hampton v RGS High Wycombe |
| 2.50pm | Denstone College v Wellington College | Dulwich College v Hurstpierpoint College |
| 3.30pm | Kirkham Grammar v Whitchurch High | Marlborough College v Trinity |
| 4.10pm | RGS Newcastle v Strathallan | Millfield v QEGS Wakefield |
| 4.50pm | RGS High Wycombe v St Joseph’s College | Brighton College v Hampton |
Sunday – Knockout Format
| Time | Pitch 1 | Pitch 2 |
| 9am | Bowl QF 1 | Bowl QF 2 |
| 9.40am | Bowl QF 3 | Bowl QF 4 |
| 10.20am | Trophy QF 1 | Trophy QF 2 |
| 11am | Trophy QF 3 | Trophy QF 4 |
| 11.40am | Shield SF 1 | Shield SF 2 |
| 12.20pm | Bowl SF 1 | Bowl SF 2 |
| 1pm | Plate SF 1 | Plate SF 2 |
| 1.40pm | Trophy SF 1 | Trophy SF 2 |
| 2.20pm | Shield Final | Shield 3rd Place |
| 3pm | Bowl Final | Bowl 3rd Place |
| 3.40pm | Plate Final | Plate 3rd Place |
| 4.20pm | Trophy Final | Trophy 3rd Place |
*Note, St Joseph’s College will play on Pitch 1 on Day 2 even if allocated Pitch 2, matches will be swapped with the game of a corresponding time.
