After the long half term break a big weekend of school rugby lies ahead, with some absolutely fantastic fixtures to restart the season with.
There are games on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday this weekend, with some huge head to heads, major derbies, and classic fixtures.
The second half of term is a real opportunity for those that had tricky first halves to hit reset and go again, while for those that had strong starts the challenge is to maintain that momentum after what has been a pretty long break.
Most of all though, as the second half of term rolls though the fact that these are the last games of school rugby that many will play starts to move into view. The opportunity to create lasting memories, to enjoy the experience, and to make the best of it starts to feel ever more critical.
The next six weeks are set to be very special indeed!
Ten to Watch
Our weekend preview begins, as ever, with our Ten to Watch and as always there are ten brilliant fixtures on the list, and a huge number of other crackers that aren’t on it – you can read about those below.
Brighton College v Cranleigh
Always a huge game, who can forget some of the classics these two have had at Rosslyn Park, the St Joseph’s Festival, and plenty of other locations through the years. This year should be a good one too, Brighton College were unbeaten through the first half of term and at the St Joseph’s Festival were one of the best teams in the tournament, finishing fourth in the end and so easily could have had more. Cranleigh had a more mixed first half of term, some stunning victories punctured by some tricky outings. They will be determined to add that consistency in this second half of term and a strong performance against Brighton would be the perfect way to build momentum.
Clifton College v Sedbergh (Sunday)
Another massive game and, unusually, taking place on Sunday this year. Clifton have been immense this season, undefeated since their opening day loss at Harrow, and proving capable of producing magical bits of drama with tight and late victories over Llandovery College, Millfield, and Hartpury College. This group always seems to find a way. Sedbergh are going to arrive in probably as determined a fashion as they ever have. They are coming off the back of a 52-20 defeat at home to Blackrock College, a game that showed just how astonishing Irish school rugby has begun. It will have hurt, and they will be determined to demonstrate their quality – quality that we saw in stunning fashion, albeit in defeat, at Ipswich where a stunning late flurry almost produced a Clifton-like magical comeback. It will be a game of the highest quality, two sides packed full of wonderful players and huge ambition. Which way it might go is anybody’s guess – an utterly compelling game awaits.
Dauntsey’s v Bishop Wordsworth’s
Dauntsey’s have been outstanding this season. After an opening day tight defeat to KES Bath they have been unstoppable, scoring 315 points in six successive victories and conceding just 61 and never more than two tries in any game. Bishop Wordsworth’s will be their toughest test since that opener though, the Wiltshire side are on a tough circuit, facing RGS High Wycombe and Whitgift in their last two games. Naturally then, results have not been the same as Dauntsey’s, but the competition level they have been at has been huge – they will test their hosts. That ought to make for a great encounter, and a real sign of exactly where each side is.
Edinburgh Academy v Merchiston Castle
The oldest continuous school rugby fixture in the world, and a mighty fine one as well. This is a game that the world over should recognise. Edinburgh Academy host this year in a rerun of last year’s Schools Cup final. Merchiston Castle won that, but earlier in that season Edinburgh Academy had taken a tight victory. This year Merchiston will start as favourites, they claimed the Merchiston Festival title before half term and only George Watson’s have got the better of them this year. It’s been a tougher start for their hosts, but in this most magical of games all of that goes out of the window – anything could happen.
Llandovery College v Millfield
Always a special game, all the more so for the Wales v England nature of it and Millfield’s close links to Wales. This year it feels even more special, Llandovery College are having a brilliant season only Clifton College have beaten them and even then only by two points in a late late heartbreaker. Coincidentally that sentence could have begun with Millfield. They too have only been bettered by Clifton and again a two point late heartbreaker. They came within a whisker of winning a third St Joseph’s Festival on the bounce too – losing a penalty shoot out in the semi final to eventual champions Kirkham Grammar School. They haven’t lost in Suffolk since before Covid. So this game pits one of the very best in Wales against one of the very best in England, two sides that seem incredibly well matched. Everything points towards a classic.
Radley College v Harrow
A classic fixture between two of the most prestigious schools around, and it should be a classic on the field this year – both are playing brilliant rugby. There is a strong argument to say that Harrow may be the best in the country this year, they are unbeaten and playing some truly outstanding rugby. Not only that but they are having a fantastic Cup run as well, momentum is going to become a key as the schedule gets busier and the pressure builds. Radley are the first challenge to that since half term and are a big challenge, they are also on a great Cup run and have had some brilliant results this season, only an inspired Tonbridge and an unbeaten Eton side have got the better of them. It’s a huge way for both to start this second half of term.
Stamford v Berkhamsted
Another massive fixture, and another that features an unbeaten side. Stamford have beaten all before them so far this season and are on a storming Cup run as well. It’s almost a month since their last game though, they will no doubt have some nerves, and a real desire to make a big statement to get this second half of term off to a flying start and keep the momentum up. Berkhamsted are a tricky side to do that against, they have had some great performances this season, they have also had a knack of getting into classic encounters, three of their six games have been decided by three points or less, they would love to start this second half of the season off with a bang. It could be a sensational game.
St Paul’s v Sherborne
Two of the oldest rugby teams in the world, Sherborne began playing rugby in 1846, St Paul’s in 1850. St Paul’s are one of just two schools, alongside Wellington College, that were founder members of the RFU. History surrounds this fixture. On the field it is a really important game for both, neither had the starts to the season that they would have wanted, though both had some unbelievably tight game and St Paul’s picked up a victory before half term, this is a chance for them to hit reset and to start the second half of term with a huge morale boosting moment in a fixture of such historic significance. It will be a very special afternoon.
Uppingham v Oakham
The Rutland Derby. A huge rivalry but a rivalry in recent times dominated by Oakham – Uppingham’s 2019 victory was their first in a decade. Uppingham got off to a tricky start, not winning until their final game before half term but all their games bar defeat to Stamford were decided by less than a converted try. They stay in games. Oakham have a stronger record, but the Continental Tyres Schools Cup champions saw their back to back dream ended at the first half by Uppingham’s biggest conquerors, Stamford. It feels like there is a close game on the cards here. An interesting one off the field too, Uppingham now count Ian Smith among their coaching staff – the Oakham coaching legend. How will he feel facing the side he did so much with, how much added impetus does that give his charges, how much does it give the visitors? It is going to be fascinating to watch it unfold.
Whitgift v RGS High Wycombe
There is a strong argument to sat that this is the most fascinating game of the weekend. Whitgift started the season in tough fashion, losing four on the spin, but they have bounced back with four victories on the trot capped on Wednesday by an epic late comeback in the Plate against Croydon rivals Trinity for a 26-25 victory. The spirit they showed late on though will need to be in action throughout against RGS High Wycombe because the reason this game is so fascinating is that RGS are having a season to remember – it’s like the 90s glory days in High Wycombe. Unbeaten in the regular season, reaching the final of the St Joseph’s Festival against expectation and only falling to a late Ollie Davies drop goal. They are the talk of the schools rugby world. This might be their biggest test outside of the Festival though, and that makes it a mouth-watering prospect.
Around the Grounds
Friday
Friday sees a couple of cracking fixtures in the South East. Bristol Grammar make the trip along the M4 to London to take on London Oratory in what should be a really special event. Meanwhile in Hertfordshire St George’s Harpenden, who are quietly having an excellent season, welcome Aylesbury Grammar School. Two really good games to kick the weekend off on Saturday.
Friday Fixtures
London Oratory v Bristol GS
St George’s, Harpenden v Aylesbury GS
Saturday
Saturday’s fixtures look fantastic, and one of the most exciting is a great state school head to head as Campion host The Judd. Campion are one of the most successful state schools of all time, The Judd arguably the top state side in the country this year – certainly in the conversation. It should be a brilliant game of rugby.
London actually has a few tasty fixtures this weekend, and among them another cracker as KCS Wimbledon welcome Trinity. Two sides that would love a huge performance this weekend. Meanwhile along the road rivals Wimbledon College welcome Dartford Grammar School, elsewhere Emanuel host Reed’s and UCS host Cardinal Vaughan.
Mill Hill have been utterly sensational this season to date, the challenge for them this week is a trip to The Leys, who would love to topple them. Also in Cambridge, The Perse host King’s Grantham. Norfolk sees a great game as two hugely impressive sides meet, Gresham’s hosting Finborough, meanwhile in Hertfordshire Richard Hale host Bishop’s Stortford High School, QES Barnet welcome St Albans 2nd XV and Hitchin Boys’ host Haberdashers’ Elstree. Essex, meanwhile, sees RGS Colchester host Wymondham College.
Over in Kent, Skinners’ host Cranbrook, while Sevenoaks welcome Bishop’s Stortford College. Ravens Wood v Eltham College looks like it could be an epic game, while Wallington County Grammar host St Olave’s Grammar and Chislehurst & Sidcup Grammar host Maidstone Grammar.
Surrey has a cracker, Gordon’s v Worth, while travelling to the South Coast are Christ’s Hospital, they head to Portsmouth Grammar. Along the road to Wiltshire Marlborough College are hosting a Churcher’s College side that are very quietly having an outstanding season. Meanwhile in the South West KES Bath welcome QEH, and Taunton School host Millfield’s 2nd XV.
Moving into the Oxfordshire, Abingdon are the latest to have the challenge of welcoming the outstanding unbeaten Eton College, while Magdalen College host Merchant Taylors’, which should be a fantastic game. Travelling from Oxford, meanwhile, are St Edward’s Oxford, who take on a Stowe side that have been playing some superb rugby. Leicestershire meanwhile sees Ratcliffe College host Worksop College.
In the North West there is a big County Cup Quarter Final as The Grange welcome St Anselm’s College, meanwhile on the Wirral, Wirral Grammar host Manchester Grammar School, and Birkenhead host Hutton Grammar, over in Lancashire Scarisbrick Hall host Merchant Taylors’.
Scotland has some belters, not least the superb Strathallan hosting Stewart’s Melville, who also have a 2ndXV out in 1st XV action, travelling to Kelvinside Academy. Nobody in Scotland though has been playing better rugby than George Watson’s College, this week they welcome Loretto.
There is a huge derby in Glasgow, as Glasgow High host Glasgow Academy, meanwhile elsewhere Hutchesons’ Grammar host Lomond and North Berwick welcome Robert Gordon’s College. Fettes College v Dollar Academy is a massive game, while George Heriot’s are at Howe of Fife and Dundee High School travel to Morrison’s Academy.
Saturday Fixtures
Abingdon v Eton College
Birkenhead v Hutton GS
Campion v The Judd
Chislehurst & Sidcup GS v Maidstone GS
Emanuel v Reed’s
Fettes College v Dollar Academy
George Watson’s College v Loretto
Glasgow HS v Glasgow Academy
Gordon’s v Worth
Gresham’s v Finborough
Hitchin Boys’ v Haberdashers’ Elstree
Howe of Fife v George Heriot’s
Hutchesons’ GS v Lomond
KCS Wimbledon v Trinity
Kelvinside Academy v Stewart’s Melville 2nd XV
KES Bath v QEH
Magdalen College v Merchant Taylors’, Northwood
Marlborough College v Churcher’s College
Morrison’s Academy v Dundee HS
North Berwick v Robert Gordon’s College
Portsmouth GS v Christ’s Hospital
QES Barnet v St Albans 2nd XV
Ratcliffe College v Worksop College
Ravens Wood v Eltham College
RGS Colchester v Wymondham College
Richard Hale v Bishop’s Stortford HS
Scarisbrick Hall v Merchant Taylors’
Sevenoaks v Bishop’s Stortford College
Skinners’ v Cranbrook
Stowe v St Edward’s, Oxford
Strathallan v Stewart’s Melville
Taunton v Millfield 2nd XV
The Grange v St Anselm’s College (County Cup QF)
The Leys v Mill Hill
The Perse v King’s Grantham
UCS v Cardinal Vaughan
Wallington CGS v St Olave’s GS
Wimbledon College v Dartford GS
Wirral GS v Manchester GS
