The draws for the U18 Schools Cup, Plate, Vase, and Bowl quarter finals were made on Tuesday evening.
Some of the biggest names in schools rugby, and some of the top teams of this season, have been drawn against each other in fixtures that are due to take place on the week of the 5th December.
All four draws remain relatively regionalised, with the North section winners and Midlands section winners drawn together and the London & South East section winners drawn alongside the South West section winners, it is NextGenXV’s understanding that the same will be true of the semi finals.
Schools Cup
North/Midlands
King’s Macclesfield v Finborough
RGS Newcastle v Oakham
London & South East/South West
Marlborough College v Blundell’s
Harrow v The Judd/Trinity
The draws in the Schools Cup are mouth-watering, in the North/Midlands section unbeaten King’sMacclesfield, having the most quietly of impressive seasons, will host unbeaten Finborough, the new boys on the block that are toppling some of the biggest names in schools rugby. Then there are former finalists RGSNewcastle, who have only been bettered by the might of Sedbergh this year, up against two time champions Oakham, who are unbeaten and playing breath-taking rugby.
Over in the London & South East/South West side things happened to be drawn keeping the South West together and the London section together. That means Marlborough College will host Blundell’s, two sides that have had some truly outstanding performances this season and would love a trip to Twickenham. On the other side, potentially the game of the competition, unbeaten Harrow, currently third in the NextGenXV Schools Rugby Table, hosting either The Judd or Trinity, who meet on Wednesday afternoon. Trinity are the reigning champions, second in the NextGenXV Schools Rugby table, and playing some incredible rugby, but so too are The Judd, unbeaten, scoring freely, and having taken down some major names.
Schools Plate
North/Midlands
Barnard Castle v Solihull
Bloxham v Haileybury
London & South East/South West
Monmouth v Wimbledon College
RGS High Wycombe v Epsom College
The Plate looks incredibly competitive too, in the North/Midlands former Cup finalists Barnard Castle are hosting Solihull, both of whom are having sparkling seasons. Then former Plate champions Bloxham, who have knocked out some huge names, will host Haileybury, a side that can compete with some of the best around.
In the London & South East/South West side of the draw the quality remains high, Welsh giants Monmouth hosting Wimbledon College in one of the bigger trips of this quarter final stage, while former Cup champions RGS High Wycombe host former Champions Trophy finalists Epsom College, two giant names in schools rugby.
Schools Vase
North/Midlands
St Anselm’s College/St Ambrose College v Princethorpe College/Dr Challoner’s Grammar
Samuel Whitbread Academy/Richard Hale v Durham/Mount St Mary’s College
London & South East/South West
Claire’s Court/Reigate Grammar v Old Swinford Hospital/Ivybridge Community College
Sutton Valence/Ravens Wood v Dauntsey’s/Eastbourne College
The Vase is still at the regional final stage so is still with a lot to be decided, but in the North/Midlands section there are plenty of teams to look out for, Cup legends Durham, Vase holders Mount St Mary’s College, former champions Samuel Whitbread Academy, knockout heroes St Ambrose College, and the incredibly well performing Richard Hale among them.
Similarly in the London & South East/South West section, where former Cup finalists Old Swinford Hospital lurk, alongside Reigate Grammar, who have had some wonderful runs, and Eastbourne College side that has been outstanding this year, a strong Ivybridge side, and last year’s runners up, Sutton Valence.
Schools Bowl
North/Midlands
Harrogate Grammar/King’s Grantham v KES Five Ways/Leicester Grammar
St Mary’s College/The Grange or Haberdashers’ v The Leys/Beaumont
London & South East/South West
Coopers’ Coborn/Tiffin v St Peter’s Gloucester/West Buckland
Portsmouth Grammar/Farnborough 6th form College v Duke of York’s Royal Military/Dartford Grammar
Like the Vase, the Bowl is still at the regional final stage, but some strong names lurk within the quarter final draw. Harrogate Grammar in the North/Midlands section could be outstanding, so too King’s Grantham among others such as The Leys.
Over in the London & South East/South West section are St Peter’s Gloucester, former Cup champions, alongside Ealing Trailfinders affiliated Duke of York’s Royal Military, and the likes of Portsmouth Grammar and Tiffin.
