This week sees the final handful of games of the season taking place, though with snow all around and temperatures still below zero, how many actually get played is another question.
Nevertheless, the hope has to be that all, or at least some, are able to go ahead. The final days of the season, and in many cases the final chances to pull on a school shirt, and such a special an important time in the schools rugby calendar.
Monday
Morrison’s Academy v Prestige Youth Sport, South Africa
The action is due to begin on Monday with a really special fixture as South African tourists Prestige Youth Sport head to Scotland to take on Morrison’s Academy, who of course claimed the National Bowl title in Scotland last week.
Wednesday
Burford v Cokethorpe
Christ College v Bloxham
Claires Court v Ranelagh
Colfe’s v Coopers’ Coborn
Denstone College v Sir Thomas Rich’s
Durham v Edinburgh Academy
Emanuel v Tiffin – at Rosslyn Park
Farnborough 6th form College v QMC Basingstoke
Gravesend Grammar v King’s Rochester
Langley Park v Simon Langton Grammar
Longdean v Sir Henry Floyd Grammar
Maidstone Grammar v Hayes
Marsh Academy v Oakwood Park Grammar
Newcastle School for Boys v Woodhouse Grove
Nottingham High v Hill House
Pate’s Grammar v Cleeve
Royal Hospital School v St Joseph’s College
Samuel Whitbread Academy v City of Oxford College
Sir William Borlase’s Grammar v Piggott
Wilson’s v Riddlesdown Collegiate
Wednesday has a decent amount of action going on, an some very big fixtures in amongst it all too, Denstone College and Sir Thomas Rich’s go head to head in a game between two sides that have really been knocking on the highest reaches of England’s school rugby hierarchy this season. Wednesday afternoon’s game should be an absolute ripper.
So too should Durham v Edinburgh Academy, an England v Scotland clash that should set the pulses racing. Durham have been in really good form of late, while Edinburgh marched all the way to the Scottish Schools Cup final last week. It should be a top game of rugby.
So too another game in the North East, where Newcastle School for Boys welcome Woodhouse Grove, who have been superb this year. Further south Nottingham High School and Hill House go heat to head.
In the East of the country there is a cracker of a game, an Ipswich derby as Royal Hospital School host St Joseph’s College, with both looking to finish off in style. Meanwhile elsewhere in the South East Colfe’s take on Coopers’ Coborn and Gravesend Grammar welcome King’s Rochester, Claires Court and Ranelagh meanwhile go head to head.
Rosslyn Park plays host to Emanuel v Tiffin, which should be a superb game. Meanwhile, Sir William Borlase’s host Piggot and Langley Park welcome Simon Langton Grammar. Hayes are in action away at Maidstone Grammar, with Oakwood Park Grammar at Marsh Academy.
Elsewhere Farnborough 6th form College host QMC Basingstoke and Longdean welcome Sir Henry Floyd’s, with Wilson’s hosting Riddlesdown Collegiate.
There is a massive game in the Midlands as Samuel Whitbread Academy and City of Oxford College go head to head, two sides that have been absolutely magnificent this year. Along the road, Burford and Cokethorpe meet in what should be a fantastic game with which to end the term.
There is also a very special Wales v England game as Christ College Brecon, who have been utterly outstanding this year, take on Bloxham, who have been brilliant themselves and where within a whisker of reaching the Schools Plate semi finals. It should be a brilliant game of schools rugby.
Thursday
Dundee High v Angus School
Graveney v Kingsdale
Just a couple of games on Thursday, in Scotland Dundee High School are hosting Angus Schools, while in England there is an all-London affair as Graveney and Kingsdale go head to head.
Friday
Hayes v Ravens Wood
London is host to the final game of schools rugby in England of 2022 as well, with Hayes and Ravens Wood meeting. There is silverware on the line too, the FJ Cup. Last year Hayes reached the final only to just miss out to St Olave’s, this year they will hope to go that one step closer.
