After an absolutely epic weekend last week and a busy and exciting midweek, the excitement ahead of this weekend is palpable.
There were some huge results last weekend and major upsets too as the world of school rugby was turned upside down in some quarters as the rain came teaming down.
This week’s NextGenXV Podcast saw the guys look back at some of those incredible games as well as looking ahead to some of the key fixtures this weekend, and there are some absolute crackers to look forward to in this week’s preview!
This week also saw the second week of our NextGenXV Schools Rugby Table, this week’s update seeing Clifton College move up to top spot after that sensational victory for Denstone College at Sedbergh last weekend, Denstone College will surely be moving up even further in the week’s to come as their performances at the St Joseph’s Festivla and against Sedbergh, in particular, demonstrate that they are clearly one of the best around.
Ten to Watch
We begin, as ever, with out Ten to Watch, and a brilliant collection of fixtures it is too. Some of the best in the country going head to head and some brilliant derby fixtures as well.
Abingdon v Radley College
One of the great local derbies, these two are just a stone’s throw away from each other and have had some fantastic games through the years. Both have struggled for results this season, though both have put in several outstanding performances on tough circuits – not least Radley College running Kirkham Grammar School, one of the best teams in the country, so close last weekend. Radley have already had success in one Oxford derby this season, beating Teddies Oxford early on, but Abingdon have run the likes of Schools Cup quarter finalists Marlborough College close and are in the regional final of the Plate. This should be classic encounter.
Bedford v Oakham
A big game in any year but a massive game this year after Oakham had to give every ounce of themselves on Wednesday en route to Cup victory against an incredibly strong Stowe side. It gave them a quarter final spot, and just three days after this game that is exactly what Bedford will be after when they take on Finborough. Bedford will be itching to go into that with real momentum after defeat away to Warwick last week, Oakham, meanwhile, are unbeaten and will be desperate to keep that up despite the tiredness that will inevitably follow such an intense encounter as Wednesday afternoon’s. It should be fascinating.
Clifton College v Wellington College
A mouth-watering fixture, made all the more so after the drama of last year’s game when a late Sam Worsley drop-goal earned Clifton a dramatic victory on Bigside. Now Wellington are the side to head along the M4, and while Worsley may now be onto greater things with Bristol Bears, Clifton College remain formidable. So formidable that they have now taken top spot in the NextGenXV Schools Rugby Table. The task then is a huge one for Wellington College, but it is not one they will fear, already Kirkham Grammar School have shown that it is possible to beat Clifton, but it is mighty mighty tough. It will be tough for Clifton too though, Wellington College are a Schools Championship side and are currently top of that table after a win over Whitgift and the tightest of defeats to Millfield. This will be of that quality, and is simply not to be missed.
Harrow v Tonbridge
Can anyone stop the Harrow engine this season? They are unbeaten, sitting in third place in the NextGenXV Schools Rugby Table, and on Wednesday they put in a performance of champions to beat the previously unbeaten Hampton by a stunning 45-5 margin away from home. They are playing utterly glorious rugby and it is going to take something special to beat them, but Tonbridge are a bit of a dark horse this year and might just think that after the efforts that Harrow put in on Wednesday, there could just be a chance to catch them cold. If they do, it will be one of the performances of the season.
Merchant Taylors’ v Reading Blue Coat – Live Streamed (Friday)
Merchant Taylors’ annual Friday night light to close off PHAB Week at the school, the schools charity that brings together disabled and non-disabled people of all ages to make more life together – with exciting and challenging holiday projects for disabled and disadvantaged children and young adults, wheelchair accessible holiday homes, and 140 Phab Clubs across England and Wales with 8,000 members.
Last year’s game was an absolute thriller, with Reading Blue Coat just clinching it at the end, you can check out the highlights of that below, and you can read our preview of Friday night’s game here: Merchant Taylors’ v Reading Blue Coat Preview.
Millfield v Cheltenham College
Two teams that will be featuring on live streams next weekend, Cheltenham College taking on Sir Thomas Rich’s at Gloucester’s Kingsholm Stadium on Thursday, and then on Saturday Millfield hosting Whitgift in The Schools Championship. Ahead of that though, the two meet each other in a huge clash this Saturday. Millfield are on fire, particularly after a lead-in to half term that saw them win that thriller against Wellington College before going to win the St Joseph’s Festival for the 8th time, and in doing so becoming the first side in well over a decade to earn back to back titles at the Festival. It’s a major task then that faces Cheltenham College, but they are on a roll, unbeaten in their last four and having lost just once all season – and even then in a thriller at Monmouth. Both sides play an exciting brand of rugby, so hopefully the weather holds out and a fantastic match unfolds.
QEGS Wakefield v Bradford Grammar
A classic in Yorkshire, two sides that have produced some of the greatest schools rugby teams of all time. It’s a big week for QEGS, with a Schools Plate regional final against another legendary side, Barnard Castle, coming up on Wednesday. They won’t be looking too far ahead though because they will need to be utterly focused on Bradford Grammar on Saturday as Bradford are having a seriously strong season, so much so that the only time they have been beaten was in the Vase, otherwise it has been near perfection. In fact in recent times even closer to perfection that that, they haven’t conceded a point since that Vase defeat back on 28thSeptember.
Stonyhurst v Ampleforth College
Another classic between two traditionally two of schools rugby’s real powerhouses. ‘The Benedictine Derby’, as once it was known, has seen some of schools rugby’s greatest games and we could be due a classic on Saturday. Ampleforth arrive full of confidence after a stunning victory over Newcastle School for Boys last week, Stonyhurst too, they were in County Cup action on Wednesday and were sensational away at Runshaw College. How Saturday unfolds should be fascinating.
Trinity v Hampton
Mouth-watering. That feels the most apt way to describe this one, two of the very best teams in the country. Indeed Trinity making a strong case to be considered the strongest side in the country, they are unbeaten, having seen off the likes of Brighton College, Whitgift, and Cranleigh, reached the St Joseph’s Festival final at the first attempt, and a just a single point away from top spot in the NextGenXV Schools Rugby Table. Hampton are one of the few that can challenge them though, the two met in the St Joseph’s Festival semi final and Trinity were absolutely on fire at that point, but Hampton were unbeaten all season until this Wednesday. On Wednesday though came a tough outing in the Cup against an inspired and unbeaten Harrow side. That will have taken a lot out of them, and dented the confidence, but it may also have sparked a fire within and if they bring that fire to Trinity, Saturday could be utterly spectacular.
Warwick v Sedbergh
Speaking of sparking a fire within, you can be absolutely certain that Sedbergh have had a huge one lit within after that tight defeat to Denstone College on Saturday – their first against anyone not called Millfield since November 2016. So Warwick will know there is a storm coming because, make no mistake, this is a seriously seriously good Sedbergh side and they are going to want to show it. Warwick are a good side though, a 21-7 defeat of Bedford last week demonstrates that, and knowing what is coming they are going to be geared up for their performance of the season. What that means is two sides at peak determination, and where that occurs, brilliant games usually follow.
Around the Grounds
Aside from our live stream of Merchant Taylors’ v Reading Blue Coat there are no games on Friday, which makes it a bumper Saturday of schools rugby!
Saturday
Altrincham Grammar v Manchester Grammar
Austin Friars v Dame Allan’s
Barnard Castle v St Peter’s, York
Berkhamsted v Northampton School for Boys
Birkenhead v Wilmslow High
Bishop Vesey’s Grammar v RGS Worcester
Bishop Wordsworth’s v Pangbourne College
Bloxham v Old Swinford Hospital
Blundell’s v Downside
Brentwood v Bishop’s Stortford High
Brighton College v St John’s, Leatherhead
Bromsgrove v Rugby
Calday Grange Grammar v Ellesmere College
Caterham v St George’s College, Weybridge
Christ College v Monmouth
Christ’s Hospital v Sutton Valence
City of London Freemen’s Triangular: City of London, Gordon’s, Reigate Grammar
Claremont Fan Court v The Cedars
Collegiate v Bristol Grammar
Coopers’ Coborn v Bancroft’s
Cranbrook v Dartford Grammar
Cranleigh v Epsom College
Dollar Academy v Stirling County RFC
Exeter v King’s College, Taunton
Felsted v Royal Hospital School
Framlingham College v Bishop’s Stortford College
Fulham Boys v Latymer Upper
Glasgow Academy v Glasgow High
Grammar School at Leeds v Pocklington
Gunnersbury v Windsor Boys’
Haileybury v St Edward’s, Oxford
Ipswich v Norwich
Isleworth & Syon v Cardinal Vaughan
John Fisher v Campion
KCS Wimbledon v Hurstpierpoint College
KES Bath v Warminster
KES Stratford v Magdalen College
KES Southampton v Churcher’s College
King’s Bruton v Clayesmore
King’s Canterbury v Simon Langton Grammar
King’s Gloucester v Hereford Cathedral School
King’s Rochester v Colfe’s
King’s Worcester v Bablake & King Henry VIII
Kingswood v Dauntsey’s
Kirkham Grammar v Cheadle Hulme
Lancaster RGS v Giggleswick
Langley v Gresham’s
Langley Park v Sir Joseph Williamson’s
Lord Wandsworth College v The Oratory
Loughborough Grammar v KES Birmingham
Maidstone Grammar v Skinners’
Malvern College v Dean Close
Marlborough College v Sherborne
Merchant Taylors’ v St Anselm’s College
Mill Hill v Emanuel
Morrison’s Academy v Lenzie Academy
Newcastle-Under-Lyme v Liverpool College
New Hall v Eltham College
Nottingham High v Solihull
Pate’s Grammar v Sir Thomas Rich’s
Plymouth College v West Buckland
Portsmouth Grammar v Bryanston
Prior Park College v Wycliffe College
Princethorpe College v Wellingborough
QEH v The Crypt
Rendcomb College v Ewell Castle
RGS Guildford v Reed’s
RGS High Wycombe v Seaford College
Richard Hale v QES Barnet
Robert Clack v St Columba’s College
Sandbach v St Ambrose College
Scarisbrick Hall v King William’s College
Sevenoaks v The Judd
Shiplake College v St Benedict’s
Stamford v Oundle
Stewart’s Melville v George Heriot’s
Stockport Grammar v Bolton
Stowe v Uppingham
Strathallan v Merchiston Castle
St Albans v St George’s, Harpenden
St Lawrence College v Duke of York’s Royal Military School
St Mary’s Crosby v AKS Lytham
St Paul’s v Eton College
Taunton v Canford
The Perse v The Leys
Trent College v Ratcliffe College
UCS v Watford Grammar
Wallington County Grammar v Halliford
Wellington School v Monkton Combe
Whitgift v Dulwich College
Wimbledon College v London Oratory
Wirral Grammar v Lymm High
Wisbech Grammar v Wymondham College
Woodhouse Grove v Durham
Worth v Eastbourne College
Wrekin College v Haberdashers’ Adams
Saturday is full of some incredibly big fixtures, plenty of derby games and some teams that are keen to come out an make a major statement. Take Cranleigh v Epsom College, two of the most storied names in all of schools rugby. Each has had their struggles this season, but equally each will view Saturday as chance to put down a huge marker ahead of the final few weeks of the season.
One side that has demonstrated their strength this season in performances against Epsom College and, last week, Cranleigh, are RGS Guildford. They are having a season to remember and will be keen to continue that on Saturday against a Reed’s side that had a thrilling draw with Emanuel last time out.
Also drawing last time out were Dulwich College and John Fisher and both are in action again this weekend. Dulwich travel to Whitgift in a fixture that has been one of the greats of the school scene over the last decade. John Fisher meanwhile take on Campion in what is one of the great state school clashes on the calendar, that should be a superb game.
Right now though it is impossible to talk about state school rugby without talking about The Judd, who are unbeaten and came through a challenging Schools Cup tie against Cardinal Newman in midweek. They are going to be itching to keep the run going but have a tricky, if short, trip to Sevenoaks to contend with on Saturday. Sir Thomas Rich’s are another state school playing well, and will be on our live stream on Thursday against Cheltenham College, but they will be looking to bounce back from Cup defeat to Blundell’s on Wednesday when they travel to nearby Pate’s Grammar on Saturday.
One of the themes of the weekend seems to be sides looking to bounce back from tough last outings, take Stowe, a tough afternoon on Wednesday in the Cup against Oakham, where they looked for a while like they had come back to take victory only for Oakham to then to do the same to them. Stowe will be eager to get back on the horse as fast as possible and host an Uppingham side on Saturday that has been struggling for form a touch.
Seaford College were also knocked out of the Cup, going down to Marlborough College, and like Stowe they will be eager to bounce right back immediately. They have a tough challenge on Saturday though, an away trip to the ever-tricky RGS High Wycombe.
Brighton College host St John’s Leatherhead in a game where both sides are looking to come back from tight defeats to Eastbourne College and Skinners’ respectively. Given the quality in their sides, expect some brilliant play throughout the game.
Speaking of Eastbourne College, they will be looking to continue their top form this season and the momentum of that victory from last weekend when they head to Worth on Saturday. It will be a tough task though, Worth themselves are full of confidence after a great victory last week.
Woodhouse Grove and Durham go head in a massive game, Woodhouse Grove are looking to bounce back from a Cup exit at the hands of RGS Newcastle but have played some wonderful rugby this year, they face a Durham side that is in flying form, with four victories on the bounce. It should be great.
As should Marlborough College v Sherborne, a real schools rugby classic. Sherborne will need to be on sharp form, Marlborough College are bursting with confidence after that superb Cup victory over Seaford College in midweek.
North West England is bursting with fixtures this weekend, including Kirkham Grammar School, who drew with Hartpury College Bulls in midweek, hosting Cheadle Hulme. Elsewhere Altrincham Grammar hostManchester Grammar and Wilmslow High head to Birkenhead, while Newcastle-Under-Lyme host Liverpool College.
One game that particularly stands out is Wirral Grammar v Lymm High, two schools that have produced some stunning teams over the years. St Mary’s Crosby host AKS Lytham, and Bolton head to Stockport Grammar, while King William’s College are at Scarisbrick Hall.
Lancaster RGS have a massive game at home against Giggleswick, while Calday Grange Grammar welcome Ellesmere College and Sandbach host St Ambrose College. Merchant Taylors’ meanwhile host St Anselm’s College.
Across in the North East Barnard Castle welcome St Peter’s York in a fixture that really stands out. Along the road Dame Allan’s are at Austin Friars, while in Yorkshire Grammar School at Leeds host Pocklington.
Further South, Nottingham sees Nottingham High School host Solihill, while Trent College welcome Ratcliffe College. Meanwhile there is another big one for Loughborough Grammar, they welcome KES Birmingham. Stamford, who were absolutely sensational at Rugby School last weekend, are back at home hosting Oundle on Saturday.
Rugby are meanwhile on the road this time out, heading to Bromsgrove with both sides looking to put in a massive performance. King’s Worcester, fresh from last Monday’s incredible Modus Cup, are at home against Bablake & King Henry VIII, while 2022 Modus Cup champions RGS Worcester are at Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School.
KES Stratford meanwhile host Magdalen College and Princethorpe College are hosting Wellingborough, Haberdashers’ Adams are at Wrekin College.
In Oxfordshire Bloxham host Old Swinford Hospital, while in Henley it’s Shiplake College in action at home against St Benedict’s. Heading into London Fulham Boys host Latymer Upper and The Cedars are at Claremont Fan Court, meanwhile City of London Freemen’s host Gordon’s and Reigate Grammar in a triangular.
Arguably the biggest game in the capital is Eton College’s trip to St Paul’s. The two actually met at Eton in September, with Eton winning 26-0, so the challenge for St Paul’s will be to see if that can shrink, or even overcome, that gap. Wimbledon College are also in action, hosting London Oratory, while Wallington County Grammar welcome Halliford and UCS host Watford Grammar.
KCS Wimbledon and Hurstpierpoint College go head to head in a tasty looking fixture, while Windsor Boys’ are at Gunnersbury and Cardinal Vaughan make the short trip to Isleworth & Syon. Langley Park are at home against Sir Joseph Williamson’s.
North of London, Mill Hill host Emanuel while Richard Hale are looking to continue their stunning form at home to QES Barnet. St Albans are also absolutely flying and will look to keep that up at home against St George’s Harpenden, while St Columba’s College are at Robert Clack. Haileybury meanwhile host St Edward’s Oxford in what is a massive game of rugby.
Further East one of the game to look out for is the Cambridge derby, The Perse v The Leys, always an awesome occasion. Wisbech Grammar meanwhile host Wymondham College, while in Norfolk Langley are at home against Gresham’s, another top fixture.
In Suffolk the high flying Ipswich are at home against Norwich School, a classic Suffolk v Norfolk encounter. Meanwhile Framlingham College host Bishop’s Stortford College, and New Hall are at home against Eltham College.
In Essex there is a belter as Felsted host Royal Hospital School, Brentwood meanwhile welcome Bishop’s Stortford High, while Coopers’ Coborn and Bancroft’s go head to head.
Around the M25 to Kent, where King’s Canterbury are hosting Simon Langton Grammar and Skinners’ look to keep their terrific form up away at Maidstone Grammar, while Cranbrook host Dartford Grammar and Duke of York’s Royal Military head to St Lawrence College. King’s Rochester are at home against Colfe’s.
Further West, Caterham host St George’s College Weybridge, a game that should be a great contest, meanwhile Sutton Valence are in action at the pristine Christ’s Hospital.
Heading South, Lord Wandsworth College host The Oratory, that should be a good one, and KES Southampton welcome Churcher’s College, while Portsmouth Grammar School welcome Bryanston over from Dorset after last week’s Dorset Derby victory.
Further West, Bishop Wordsworth’s host Pangbourne College, while even further West King’s Bruton welcome Clayesmore and Prior Park College welcome Wycliffe College for what should be a top game, as should King’s Gloucester, who have been playing well, against Hereford Cathedral School.
Collegiate have a massive game at home against Bristol Grammar School, while Malvern College are at home against Dean Close. The Crypt are meanwhile at QEH while Wellington School host Monkton Combe.
In Devon Blundell’s look to build on that epic Cup win when they host Downside, while Exeter School host King’s College Taunton and Plymouth College welcome West Buckland. Kingswood welcomeDauntsey’s, while KES Bath host Warminster and Taunton welcome Canford. Over in Wales, meanwhile, there is an absolute belter – Christ College v Monmouth, two giants that are playing some wonderful rugby.
Scotland has some top games too, Strathallan hosting Merchiston Castle with both looking to bounce back from defeat over the weekend. George Heriot’s are meanwhile at Stewart’s Melville, while there is a massive Glasgow derby, Glasgow Academy hosting Glasgow High School. Dollar Academy are meanwhile in club action against Stirling County RFC, while Morrison’s Academy host Lenzie Academy.
