After such an unpredictable few weeks the excitement for this weekend’s school rugby action is palpable, it feels as though anything could happen.
There are some absolutely brilliant fixtures, not least Clifton College and Kirkham Grammar School, two of the very best in the country, crossing the Irish Sea to take on elite Irish opposition. Meanwhile the likes of Harrow, Brighton College, and Eton College have challenging fixtures in which to try to maintain their superb unbeaten seasons, and there are to LIVE game here on the NextGenXV YouTube Channel as Northampton School for Boys host Whitgift and Rugby School host Warwick.
Ten to Watch
Ballymena Academy v Kirkham GS – Friday
A huge game on Friday as Kirkham Grammar School head to Northern Ireland to take on a strong Ballymena Academy side. Kirkham have been superb this year and are unbeaten, have won the St Joseph’s Festival, and are into the Continental Tyres Schools Cup. They also already have success against Northern Irish opposition, having beaten Methodist College back in September. This will be a huge challenge though, Ballymena are one of the strongest in the area and are three time Ulster Schools Cup champions, and nine time finalists. It is set to be a huge encounter as Kirkham seek to keep this remarkable season going.
Blackrock College v Clifton College
If the previous fixture was huge, this one is on a whole other stratosphere. Arguably the most famous rugby school in the world, Blackrock College, one of the strongest sides on the planet this year, against Clifton College, who have been outstanding over the last half a decade. It is going to be an almighty challenge for Clifton, Blackrock are superb at home and they already have a big result against English opposition this year, having travelled to Sedbergh and won in style just before half term. They also travelled to Clifton last year and won 32-6 (see below), Blackrock confidence will be sky high. Clifton confidence has just taken a dent of late, defeat to Wellington and a draw with Denstone in back to back games arresting momentum built with a victory over Sedbergh, but motivation will be off the charts for this one. Their biggest game of the season, and one that the whole schools rugby world will be keeping an eye on.
Brighton College v St Joseph’s College
Another huge game, Brighton College are just two victories away from an unbeaten season, with RGS Guildford following this fixture. This will be a big hurdle for them though, the two met in an incredibly tight game at the St Joseph’s Festival, where Brighton edged it 5-0. This is a different kettle of fish though, a 70 minute game between two sides that are playing some wonderful rugby this year. Brighton College are, perhaps obviously, in rampant form having stormed through their fixtures since half term. This is one of the best St Joseph’s College sides in years, results against Finborough and Oakham in recent weeks haven’t been what they were after ahead of this but will surely be one that they have had their eye on, particularly after coming so close at their Festival. A huge game for both.
Eton College v Dulwich College
Another unbeaten side, Eton College are having a season to remember. They have three games, including this one, to seal an unbeaten season and given their form to date they must surely be feeling confident. Dulwich College are a potential banana skin though, last weekend they pulled off a superb results when they hosted a Tonbridge side that has been superb this season and secured a tight 8-7 victory. Now they will be eyeing up Eton and thinking that they could put themselves in a position for a grandstand finish to the season. Eton are after an even bigger finish though, which all adds up to make this game absolutely mouth-watering.
Harrow v Trinity
Another huge game for one of the country’s best. Harrow are unbeaten and sit at the top of the NextGenXV Schools Rugby Table and the Daily Mail Trophy table. They have just three games left before Christmas, this one, a Continental Tyres Schools Cup quarter final, and Mill Hill. Get through those unscathed and it is one of the great school seasons. There is history in this one too, this time last year Trinity won an incredibly tight Cup quarter final at Harrow, they aren’t quite the same side as then but they are in good form and they will be hugely motivated to be the side that halts Harrow’s charge. Harrow are going to be motivated beyond belief though, not just by their ambitions for this season but also by the memory of last season. It’s not to be missed.
Millfield v Seaford College
This looks a very interesting fixture, Seaford College are challenging themselves more than ever before with this season’s fixture list and Millfield might just about be the biggest challenge of all. It’s a big game for Millfield, they beat Argentina’s Cardinal Newman in midweek but their last school game was a surprise defeat to Cheltenham College, they will be eager to put in a big performance ahead of a big climax to the season. Seaford College will likewise though, a fortnight ago they became the first side to beat RGS High Wycombe in the regular season this year, confidence is flowing and they will be looking at this fixture and thinking that if they can pull off a result it would be one of the greatest in the school’s history. Millfield are going to be in no mood to allow that though, which should make for a great occasion.
Mill Hill v St Albans
These two have been fantastic this year, and with the schools having had such similar rises and both being so closely linked to Saracens, this represents a real derby nowadays. Both have only been bettered once, Mill Hill narrowly to Oakham a couple of weeks ago and St Albans in midweek in an absolute epic in the Vase at Felsted. Last year’s meeting was a tight one, Mill Hill winning 16-12 at St Albans, expect another tight one on Saturday – though given the try scoring exploits of both, there might be a higher scoreline. You can be certain that both will have had this game marked on the calendars since the very start of the season.
Northampton School for Boys v Whitgift – LIVE on NextGenXV, Saturday 11am KO
The first of our live games this weekend sees Northampton School for Boys host Whitgift in a game that looks incredibly well matched. The game will be available LIVE on the NextGenXV YouTube channel and through the embedded link below as these two go head to head in what should be an absolutely brilliant fixture. You can see our full preview of the game here: Northampton School for Boys v Whitgift Preview.
Rugby v Warwick – LIVE on NextGenXV, Saturday 2.15pm KO
Rugby School return to the silver screen on Saturday as they host Warwick in the second LIVE game of the day here on NextGenXV. The game will be available on the NextGenXV YouTube Channel and through the embedded link below as Rugby seek to make it three victories in a row on The Close. Warwick arrive in form too though after a draw with Sedbergh and victory over Northampton School for Boys, it’s not to be missed. Check out our full preview of the game here: Rugby v Warwick Preview.
Tonbridge v Radley College
These two met at Radley back in early October when Tonbridge pulled off a superb 31-5 victory. Since then Radley have lost to unbeaten Eton and Harrow but then picked up three victories in a row including back to back Oxfordshire derbies over Abingdon and Teddies and reached the quarter finals of the Continental Tyres Schools Cup. Tonbridge meanwhile beat Skinners’ and gave Harrow their closest run of the season to date, but will have been frustrated at a narrow loss at Dulwich last week. Which sets up for a bit of a blockbuster in Kent on Saturday as these two lock horns again – last year honours were split, each side winning the home fixture, Tonbridge will be keen for a repeat of 2021’s twin victories, but Radley will not allow that to happen easily.
Around the Grounds
Friday
Friday Fixtures
Friday has some huge fixtures and perhaps the biggest of the lot sees Durham and Barnard Castle meet at Newcastle Falcons’ Kingston Park. It’s familiar territory for Durham, who has week met RGS Newcastle at the same location and secured victory, before then booked their place in the Vase quarter finals in midweek. Barnard Castle will provide a stiff test, since half term they have been rampant and will be keen to impress in such a fantastic setting. It is going to be an absolutely sensational occasion.
Over in the North West there is another cracker as Lymm High School and Calday Grange Grammar go head to head. Meanwhile in the South UCS and Latymer Upper meet and St Joseph’s College Reading take on Luckley House. It is going to be a brilliant Friday of schools rugby.
Barnard Castle v Durham
Latymer Upper v UCS
Lymm HS v Calday Grange GS
Luckley House v St Joseph’s College, Reading
Saturday
Saturday is a huge day of rugby, and perhaps nowhere more so than in Scotland where it is Scottish Schools Cup semi final day. Reigning champions Merchiston Castle face a massive semi final away at Stewart’s Melville. The two met earlier in the season with a tight game going Merchiston’s way, but a knockout fixture is a different kettle of fish, this will be a huge one. So too will be the other semi final as last year’s runners up, Edinburgh Academy, head to this season’s pace-setters in Scotland, George Watson’s College. Watson’s haven’t lost all season but that won’t stop Accies from believing after a strong second half of term. A huge day in Scotland.
Edinburgh Academy and Stewart’s Melville both actually have 2nd XVs up against 1st XVs this weekend, Edinburgh Academy hosting Hutcheson’s Grammar, while Stewart’s Melville welcome Glasgow High. Elsewhere St Aloysius’ College host Dundee High and George Heriot’s travel to Loretto, while How of Fife RFC host Morrison’s Academy. Meanwhile in the Plate Gordonstoun host Queen Victoria.
In the North East of England Dame Allan’s welcome Newcastle School for Boys, while in Yorkshire there are some cracking games, with North Eastern side RGS Newcastle travelling down to take on QEGS Wakefield in a clash of two of schools rugby’s giants. Continental Tyres Schools Cup quarter finalists Woodhouse Grove are on the road at Hymers College after a great midweek result, while another of the form sides in the area, Grammar School at Leeds, are also on the road as they head to Pocklington. Meanwhile Bradford Grammar host Harrogate Grammar in what should be a top game.
In Lancashire Scarisbrick Hall host St Mary’s College, while Hutton Grammar head to AKS Lytham. Meanwhile Kirkham Grammar School’s 2nd XV, with their 1st XV in Northern Ireland, host Merchant Taylors’. On the Wirral, meanwhile, Birkenhead host Bolton School and St Anselm’s welcome a strong Stonyhurst side.
Cheshire sees some huge games, not least Sedbergh’s trip to King’s Macclesfield. It should be a top game, King’s Macclesfield have been brilliant in the last few years and have given some top sides a really tough ride, Sedbergh meanwhile are in a tricky patch of form and will be reeling after a tough outing against Wellington College in midweek. Expect both therefor to pile everything into this one, while could make for a real classic. Lancaster RGS’ trip to Cheadle Hulme could also be an exceptional game, while Stockport Grammar School host Altrincham Grammar School in another to look forward too. Wilmslow High School meanwhile welcome Manchester Grammar, and Ellesmere College make the trip to Sandbach.
Further south in Shropshire Haberdashers’ Abraham Darby host King Henry VIII Coventry, while in Herefordshire Hereford Cathedral host Oswestry. Worcestershire meanwhile sees to great fixtures as a top King’s Worcester side host Old Swinford Hospital and RGS Worcester host Solihull, while in the West Midlands KES Birmingham host Princethorpe College.
Oxfordshire sees a game that should excite many as Abingdon and RGS Guildford go head to head in what should be a really good game, while heading towards the East Midlands and Rutland there are some great games to look forward to. Oxford’s St Edward’s are in action at Uppingham, on a day that will also see the Uppingham Old Boys side in action at the school, which should make for a very special occasion, while along the road at Oakham there is a very tasty looking fixture as they host Stamford, who beat them earlier in the season and knocked them out of the Cup in the process, Oakham will be eager for revenge but Stamford are an outstanding side. Meanwhile in Northamptonshire, Wellingborough host KES Stratford.
Over in Leicestershire Loughborough Grammar host Bablake, while Nottinghamshire sees Nottingham High School host Ratcliffe College, Lincolnshire meanwhile sees Worksop College host Cambridgeshire’sWisbech Grammar.
Cambridge itself sees The Perse host Samuel Whitbread Academy, a game that should produce some fireworks, while travelling from there are The Leys, who head to Norwich School, who are very much in form. So too though are Gresham’s, who picked up the County title in midweek, they head to Wymondham College.
Hertfordshire has some top games, Richard Hale, who have had another great year, host Watford Grammar, while St Columba’s College host Haberdashers’ Elstree. Over in Essex RGS Colchester host Bancroft’s, while Brentwood welcome Dunottar.
London has some big games this weekend, and in East London there is a particularly big one as two in form sides meet, the superb Campion hosting a Bedford Modern side that is having one of their best seasons. In the South east Colfe’s host Caterham, who are looking mighty, while in the North Merchant Taylors’ host Surrey’s Reed’s. There are two big games in Wimbeldon, KCS host Emanuel in what should be a cracker, while Wimbledon College welcome Wallington County Grammar. Further West St Benedict’s invite John Fisher across London in what is always an evocative game between two with such history. St Paul’s meanwhile head out of London to take on Reading Blue Coat.
Kent sees The Judd in action again, they have been good again this year and will look to continue that at Sir Joseph Williamson’s. Meanwhile Sevenoaks host Cranbrook and Maidstone Grammar head to Dartford Grammar, while Chislehurst & Sidcup host Coopers’ Coborn. Heading from Kent to Susses are Duke of York’s Royal Military, who take on Christ’s Hospital.
Surrey sees one of the games of the weekend as Cranleigh host Hampton, a key game for both schools as they head towards the climax of the season. It could well be one of the games of the day. Elsewhere, St George’s Weybridge, who have impressed many, host Tiffin, and Richard Challoner welcome London Oratory, while Claremont host a City of London Freemen’s 2nd XV.
Hampshire has been a real hotspot this year, and one of the chief reasons for that are Churcher’s College, who have been magnificent. They welcome Gordon’s for what should be an outstanding game of rugby. KES Southampton have also been good, they travel to Ryde.
Portsmouth Grammar travel to Wiltshire meanwhile to take on Bishop Wordsworth’s, and Wiltshire hosts one of the most vital games of the weekend as Marlborough College, who are itching to find form ahead of the season’s climax, host a Bromsgrove side that is unbeaten and have booked their Cup quarter final spot.
Somerset meanwhile sees Taunton host West Buckland in what should be a good game, with Wellington School also in action, hosting Cathedral School Llandaff of Wales. Meanwhile in Gloucestershire Rendcomb College host Bristol’s Clifton High School, and back in Bristol QEH host the exceptional Kingswood. Collegiate have a huge game as they host in form Devonians Exeter School, that could be an exceptional one. Also travelling from Devon are Mount Kelly, who head South to take on Truro School.
Saturday Fixtures
Abingdon v RGS Guildford
AKS Lytham v Hutton GS
Birkenhead v Bolton
Bishop Wordsworth’s v Portsmouth GS
Bradford GS v Harrogate GS
Brentwood v Dunottar
Campion v Bedford Modern
Cheadle Hulme v Lancaster RGS
Christ’s Hospital v Duke of York’s RMS
Chislehurst & Sidcup GS v Coopers’ Coborn
Churcher’s College v Gordon’s
Claremont v City of London Freemen’s 2nd XV
Colfe’s v Caterham
Collegaite v Exeter School
Cranleigh v Hampton
Dame Allan’s v Newcastle School for Boys
Dartford GS v Maidstone GS
Edinburgh Academy 2nd XV v Hutchesons’ GS
George Watson’s College v Edinburgh Academy (Cup Semi)
Gordonstoun v Queen Victoria (Plate Semi)
Haberdashers’ Abraham Darby v King Henry VIII
Hereford Cathedral v Oswestry
Howe of Fife v Morrison’s Academy
Hymers College v Woodhouse Grove
KCS Wimbledon v Emanuel
KES Birmingham v Princethorpe College
King’s Macclesfield v Sedbergh
King’s Worcester v Old Swinford Hospital
Kirkham GS 2nd XV v Merchant Taylors’
Loretto v George Heriot’s
Loughborough GS v Bablake
Marlborough College v Bromsgrove
Merchant Taylors’ v Reed’s
Norwich v The Leys
Nottingham HS v Ratcliffe College
Oakham v Stamford
Pocklington v Grammar School at Leeds
QEGS Wakefield v RGS Newcastle
QEH v Kingswood
Reading Blue Coat v St Paul’s
Rendcomb College v Clifton HS
RGS Colchester v Bancroft’s
RGS Worcester v Solihull
Richard Challoner v London Oratory
Richard Hale v Watford GS
Ryde v KES Southampton
Sandbach v Ellesmere College
Scarisbrick Hall v St Mary’s College
Sevenoaks v Cranbrook
Sir Joseph Williamson’s v The Judd
St Aloysius’ College v Dundee HS
St Anselm’s College v Stonyhurst
St Benedict’s v John Fisher
St Columba’s College v Haberdashers’ Elstree
St George’s Weybridge v Tiffin
Stewart’s Melville v Merchiston Castle (Cup Semi)
Stewart’s Melville 2nd XV v Glasgow HS
Stockport GS v Altrincham GS
Strathallan v North Berwick
Taunton v West Buckland
The Perse v Samuel Whitbread
Truro v Mount Kelly
Uppingham v St Edward’s, Oxford
Wellingborough v KES Stratford
Wellington v Cathedral School, Llandaff
Wimbledon College v Wallington CGS
Wilmslow HS v Manchester GS
Worksop College v Wisbech GS
Wymondham College v Gresham’s
