It is the penultimate weekend of the school season for most, the final weekend for some, and after an astonishing few weeks of unpredictability the excitement for this weekend’s schools rugby action is at fever pitch.
A number of sides head into this weekend looking to protect outstanding unbeaten records, others come in looking to make a point, all have something huge to play for – most of all, making sure that these final stages of the season are memorable.
Some of the fixtures this weekend are fantastic, indeed most are, on what is one of the fullest fixture lists of the season!
Ten to Watch
Our preview begins, as always, with our Ten to Watch – a gruesome task over a weekend on which about fifty fixtures could have made the list, nevertheless the 10 are blockbusters for a variety of reasons.
Cranleigh v Seaford College
A huge game. Last weekend both had memorable results, Cranleigh putting in a barnstorming performance against Hampton, while Seaford College travelled to Millfield and earned arguably the best result in their rugby history with victory, to nil, on the Sir Gareth Edwards pitch. Seaford wobbled in midweek though, with a slightly changed side going down to what is admittedly an outstanding Hurstpierpoint College side. Backing up Saturday was always going to be tough, but having been brought back down to earth they are going to be beyond up for this one. Cranleigh will have to be at their best to withstand the onslaught but, as we have seen, when at their best few can live with them.
Denstone College v Kirkham GS
It has been a funny old season for Denstone College, some real highs including a daw a fortnight ago with Clifton College, and some lows. What they have shown in particular though is a taste for the dramatic, with some incredibly tight games. If they can do that against Kirkham then buckle up because we will have a classic on our hands. Few have come close to Kirkham this year, they claimed a maiden St Joseph’s Festival title in October, are riding in second place in the NextGenXV Schools Rugby Table, have made the Quarter Finals of the Continental Tyres Schools Cup, and have won every single game that they have played. This is a big test though, Denstone have the ability to test that record and will be throwing everything at it. Kirkham have their eyes on big prizes though, and will give nothing away cheaply.
Harrow v Mill Hill
Talking of eyes on big prizes, Harrow have their eye on the lot – an unbeaten season, back to back Daily Mail Trophy titles, the NextGenXV Schools Rugby Table, and the Continental Tyres Schools Cup. In a six day period much of that is going to be decided with this fixture against Mill Hill on Saturday followed by their Cup quarter final against Ipswich on Thursday their final two games. They will have to be as sharp as they have all season, in which they have won every game and only once scored fewer that 38 points. That sharpness is required because this is Mill Hill’s biggest game of the season and they are a side that can do real damage. Only Oakham have beaten them, and even that was in shortened format, but Harrow are on another level to anyone they have faced – a result on Saturday, or even a big performance, would be a huge statement. Harrow will be determined to avoid that possibility.
Monmouth v Millfield
All of a sudden this looks like a very tasty fixture. Monmouth are into the quarter finals of the Continental Tyres Schools Cup and are on a seven game winning streak, while Millfield are just having a bit of a tricky spell after a wonderful start to the season, with Cheltenham College and Seaford College beating them in recent fixtures. Suddenly this looks crucial for Millfield in terms of regaining momentum ahead of a huge season finale against Sedbergh on Wednesday, while for Monmouth it could be the sort of game that gives them almost unstoppable confidence ahead of that Cup quarter final. All of which serves to make this game utterly compelling. Expect passion, expect serious quality, and expect an occasion to remember.
Northampton School for Boys v Sir Thomas Rich’s
One of the biggest state school fixtures in the country at the moment, these two have been absolutely fantastic this season – and indeed for a few seasons before. NSB have had another strong season but will be frustrated by back to back defeats to Warwick and Whitgift games in which, Whitgift in particular, they were in. With one more game against Stowe to come they are going to be in determined mood on Saturday. So too though are Sir Thomas Rich’s, they have been utterly outstanding of late. They have not conceded a point in three of their last four games, scoring 124 of their own, in the other they won at Kingsholm in sensational style against Cheltenham College, 32-14. Tommies are outstanding at this moment in time, but NSB are going to be anything but easy to pass, especially at home. It should be a great game of schools rugby.
Rugby v Cheltenham College – LIVE on NextGenXV, 2.15pm KO
Penultimate game of the season for both of these and what a cracker it could be as Rugby host in red hot form and Cheltenham arrive as a side that at their best are up there with the top sides around. The game will be available LIVE on the NextGenXV YouTube Channel and through the embedded video below and you can check out our full preview of the game here: Rugby v Cheltenham College Preview – 200 years of Rugby Football.
St Peter’s, York v Woodhouse Grove
A return fixture after these two met in the Continental Tyres Schools Cup last week. Woodhouse Grove won that one on home turn in an impressive 41-17 manner, now though they head to York to that on St Peter’s, who are going to be gunning for revenge. St Peter’s started this season on fire, winning four of their opening five, with only Sedbergh getting the better of them. Results have been harder to come by since the half term break but with the end of season they are going to be in determined spirit to find that early season form. They know the scale of the challenge though, only St Joseph’s College have beaten Woodhouse Grove this season (a defeat to Hill House in midweek was with a 2nd XV in the main), the boys in green have been utterly outstanding and will be eager to carry the momentum through to Wednesday’s Cup quarter final with Kirkham.
Stowe v Oakham
It has been a while since Stowe laced up, two weeks in fact. Their last outing was that epic contest with Ipswich at Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich won that but it went down to the wire. That has been the theme of their season, seven of their games have been decided by five points of fewer including their last four in a row. Where Stowe go, excitement follows. Oakham know a thing or two about that as well though, their last six of their last 7 have been decided by four points or fewer, including an epic victory over a very good Stamford side last time out, 17-13. That result will send Oakham to Stowe with real confidence, very few have got the better of Stamford this season. Given the records of both these sides this year though, we can expect a cracker – if it’s not decided late in a seriously tight game, it will buck the trend of the season for both!
Wellington College v Tonbridge
It is the final game of the season for Wellington College and they will almost be ruing that fact as they have hit peak form, beating Clifton College and Sedbergh back to back to make them arguably the form side in the country in that window. They will be wishing for more games, but having this one game against Tonbridge, on Bigside, is going to mean a seriously determined group comes out to play. Albeit one, unfathomably and through no fault of the players or school, shorn of many of their Academy players. A ridiculous story for another day. Tonbridge will be eager to take advantage of that though. At times this season they have been outstanding but they are in a tricky little patch of late, a heroic effort in defeat against the might of Harrow was followed by tight back to back defeats against Dulwich College and Radley College, they will be eager to turn that tide sharply. They have the ability to do so though, that performance against Harrow demonstrates it, and with the end of season approaching, expect a hugely determined side to turn up in Berkshire.
Whitgift v Epsom College
This has the potential to be an absolutely brilliant game of rugby. Looking back through the season it looks as though these sides should be superbly well matched. Both have had their wobbles but both have also had some great performances, Epsom started the season with five victories on the spin, and earned a draw in the Cup with Ipswich, Whitgift had a similar patch in the middle of the season and arrive at this one after back to back victories, including a highly mature performance against Northampton School for Boys in the freezing cold last time out. It has the potential to be one of the games of the weekend.
Ten to Watch Fixtures
Cranleigh v Seaford College
Denstone College v Kirkham GS
Harrow v Mill Hill
Monmouth v Millfield
Northampton School for Boys v Sir Thomas Rich’s
Rugby v Cheltenham College – LIVE on NextGenXV, 2.15pm KO
St Peter’s, York v Woodhouse Grove
Stowe v Oakham
Wellington College v Tonbridge
Whitgift v Epsom College
Around the Grounds
Friday
Unusually, it is a pretty quiet Friday night compared to the rest of the season, with just two games. In Scotland George Heriot’s and Glenalmond College go head to head, while in South East England Chatham & Clarendon meet St Lawrence College at Thanet Wanderers.
Friday Fixtures
Chatham & Clarendon v St Lawrence College – at Thanet Wanderers
George Heriot’s v Glenalmond College
Saturday
If Friday is a little on the quiet side, Saturday makes up for it in spades. It is, without question, the busiest weekend of the season – and a supremely high quality one at that. One particularly eye-catching one on the list is a Triangular at Clifton College, featuring Blundell’s and Taunton School, it could be a cracker and the Clifton v Blundell’s game in particular could be spectacular. The Clifton College 2nd XV are also in 1st XV action, hosting King’s College Taunton.
That’s far from the only exciting game in the South West, and in fact Devon looks particularly good with the ever-engaging Devon/Cornwall rivalry between Exeter School and Truro School taking centre stage, look out also for Mount Kelly v Plymouth College.
In Somerset there is plenty of excitement too, a huge game between Wellington School and KES Bath featuring alongside Downside v King’s Bruton, and Monkton Combe v Clayesmore. Clayesmore travel in from Dorset, where there is a huge encounter between Canford and Sherborne, one that looks like it could be spectacular. Meanwhile in Wiltshire, Kingswood’s trip to Bishop Wordsworth’s looks like a huge game, likewise Dauntsey’s hosting Bristol Grammar. Also heading from Bristol to Wiltshire are Clifton High, who take on Warminster.
Hampshire sees the impressive Lord Wandsworth College back in action at home against Bryanston, which should be a great game, meanwhile look out for the South Coast derby as Portsmouth Grammar host KES Southampton, always a great occasion.
In Surrey, meanwhile, eyes will be turning towards RGS Guildford. They are having a good season but on Saturday they welcome a Brighton College side that is having an all time season – in what is their final game of the season. Victory and Brighton College will have sealed the dream unbeaten season, and could threaten the top of the Daily Mail Trophy and NextGenXV standings – they have been sensational and it will be an unmissable game.
Elsewhere in the area, St George’s Weybridge welcome Emanuel, while Gordon’s are at Royal Alexandra & Albert. Meanwhile there is a huge game at Reigate Grammar as they host Reed’s for what should be a great game, and the spectacularly in form Caterham will be hosting Sevenoaks, look out for Caterham, they really have been magnificent.
Sussex also has a massive game as Hurstpierpoint College and Eastbourne College go head to head. They have both had outstanding seasons, particularly Hurstpierpoint who have only seen two of the best defeat them – Brighton College and Harrow – they will need to be at their best on Saturday though, Eastbourne are going to be determined. Both sides’ 2nd XVs are also in action, playing a triangular against the Christ’s Hospital 2nd XV. Meanwhile Worth will be hosting a Churcher’s College side that has impressed everyone this season.
London sees some crackers too, perhaps chief among them in Barnes, where St Paul’s will host Dulwich College, two sides that are playing with a good amount of confidence at the moment. Both Wimbledon sides are in action at home, KCS welcoming St John’s Leatherhead for what should be a well contested game, meanwhile Wimbledon College will be hosting a Campion side that is playing some great rugby at the moment. Tiffin host St Benedict’s, who are bang in form as this season draws towards a close, while in north London Watford Grammar will host QES Barnet.
South East London meanwhile has some crackers too, not least Hampton’s trip to John Fisher, always a great game. Eltham College will be hosting St Olave’s Grammar, while Langley Park and Latymer Upper go head to head.
Kent is, as ever, busy. Ravens Wood have become a bit of a story of late, playing wonderfully well in recent games and coming through a tight Vase game against Eastbourne in midweek, they host Wallington County Grammar on Saturday. Elsewhere, Cranbrook welcome King’s Rochester, while their 2nd XV host Ashford, Gravesend Grammar, who are always worth paying attention to, are on the road at Chislehurst & Sidcup.
The Judd continue to impress, and they will be looking towards a grandstand finish, starting by hosting Maidstone Grammar, meanwhile Sutton Valence host Duke of York’s Royal Military, and Skinners’ welcome Sir Joseph Williamson’s. King’s Canterbury and Simon Langton Grammar School also go head to head.
Essex has a potential classic on its hands as Stamford travel to take on Felsted. Stamford have been one of the best around this year but are just scratching for a return to peak form, Felsted have also been outstanding and are in great form, Saturday will be a game they are both relishing. Along the road RGS Colchester host New Hall, while Coopers’ Coborn welcome Colfe’s.
In Suffolk Culford host Wymondham College, while in Norfolk there is a massive derby game as Gresham’s host Norwich. Both have been absolutely outstanding this season and it has all the ingredients to be one of the games of the weekend. Cambridge and its surrounds has some great games too, The Leys host Royal Hospital School, while The Perse welcome Framlingham College, King’s Ely meanwhile head to Wisbech Grammar.
Hertfordshire sees a whole host of action, as ever, and among the most exciting is the rematch between Haileybury and Bedford. They met in the Cup before half term in a brilliant game won by Haileybury, and now the two go head to head again amidst much anticipation. Bedford’s local rivals Bedford Modern are also in action in Hertfordshire, they take on St George’s Harpenden, both have been excellent this season. Meanwhile Bishop’s Stortford College host St Edmund’s College.
Also in Hertfordshire, Berkhamsted are in action against Bloxham, that will be a game to look out for, while the outstanding St Albans, who are going to be determined to have a big performance, welcome a good Merchant Taylors’ side. Haberdashers’ Elstree meanwhile welcome a good Aylesbury Grammar School side east from Buckinghamshire.
Moving West, things are busy in Windsor as this brilliant Eton College side takes to the field once again. They are unbeaten and riding high in every competition, but they will have to be sharp on Saturday against a Trinity side that is desperate to show the very best of themselves before the reason is out. Along the road Windsor Boys’ host Halliford, while in Reading Pangbourne College and the Oratory have a bit of a derby game going on.
RGS High Wycombe, who have been quite simply brilliant this season, will be looking to continue that brilliance on Saturday when they host Reading Blue Coat. Along the road in Henley Shiplake College welcome Magdalen College from Oxford, while in Oxford there are some great games. Chiefly Abingdon v Marlborough College, two proud sides that are so excellently coached and that will each be looking for a statement performance before the season is out. St Edward’s Oxford, who had a wonderful outing last time out v Uppingham, welcome Worcestershire’s Malvern College for what promises to be a good game of schools rugby, while fellow Worcestershire side RGS Worcester are also in the Cotswolds as they head to the superb King’s Gloucester.
King’s Worcester meanwhile welcome Gloucestershire opponents in the form of Dean Close, that should be a game to keep an eye on, while The Crypt are at Hereford Cathedral School. Elsewhere, Princethorpe College host KES Stratford and King Henry VIII have a big game at home to Wrekin College.
Perhaps the game of the day in the area though will see unbeaten Bromsgrove host an Uppingham side that has been playing some decent rugby of late. With Radley in the Cup quarter finals and Warwick in the final game of the season to come, Bromsgrove will want as much momentum as possible as they strive for that unbeaten season. Radley College themselves are also in action, away to Uppingham’s great rivals, Oundle. A key game for both, Oundle have had moments of brilliance this season and would love to add the scalp of Radley, while for Radley as much momentum as they can generate ahead of Bromsgrove in midweek will be the order of the day. Leicestershire meanwhile sees Leicester Grammar welcome Ratcliffe College, whileLoughborough Grammar have the mighty task of taking on the bang in form Solihull, over in Nottingham Trent College welcome Wellingborough.
Further North into Yorkshire, QEGS Wakefield and Hymers College go head to head in what could be a very good game of rugby. Meanwhile the excellent Mount St Mary’s College are away at Bradford Grammar, two sides that would love a big performance this weekend. Heading down from Newcastle to Yorkshire are Dame Allan’s, they have been very good this season and will need to be so again away at Ampleforth College.
In the North East itself, Barnard Castle and RGS Newcastle go head to head in what is always a great contest between two giants of the school game, one that is not to be missed. Along the road neither is Yarm v Austin Friars, which should be a top game.
Towards the North West and Lancashire, Lancaster RGS will be hosting Merchant Taylors’, a game worth a trip given the excellence of LRGS this year, meanwhile AKS Lytham welcome Scarisbrick Hall. Along the road Stonyhurst and Giggleswick go head to head, while Bolton welcome Hutton Grammar and Manchester Grammar School host Lymm High School.
Stockport Grammar have had some big moments this year and will home for more against St Mary’s College, meanwhile their second XV will also want a big performance, and will need one as they take on a 1stXV opponent in the form of The Grange.
Also in Cheshire are the brilliant St Ambrose College, who have a tricky task on their hands as they host Cheadle Hulme, arguably the game of the day in the region. Meanwhile along the road Altrincham Grammar host Sandbach, and in Liverpool Birkenhead travel to Liverpool College. Back on the Wirral St Anselm’s College will host Ellesmere College.
Scotland lost a lot of games to frozen pitches last week, fingers will be crossed that that fate is avoided this weekend. Last week saw both Scottish Schools Cup semi finals take place, Stewart’s Melville defeating Merchiston Castle and George Watson’s defeating Edinburgh Academy. Both losing semi finals are right back in action, with Merchiston Castle hosting Morrison’s Academy and Edinburgh Academy heading to Fettes College.
One of the biggest games in Scotland will likely be Strathallan’s trip to Dollar Academy, meanwhile Kelvinside Academy host Lomond and North Berwick host Loretto. Glasgow High School are on the road at Queen Victoria, likewise Glasgow Academy, who head to Balfron High. Meanwhile Hutchesons’ Grammar host St Columba’s, and look out for Dundee High School, who host Robert Gordon’s College.
Saturday Fixtures
Abingdon v Marlborough College
AKS Lytham v Scarisbrick Hall
Altrincham GS v Sandbach
Ampleforth College v Dame Allan’s
Balfron HS v Glasgow Academy
Barnard Castle v RGS Newcastle
Berkhamsted v Bloxham
Bishop’s Stortford College v St Edmund’s College
Bishop Wordsworth’s v Kingswood
Bolton v Hutton GS
Bradford GS v Mount St Mary’s College
Bromsgrove v Uppingham
Canford v Sherborne
Caterham v Sevenoaks
Chislehurst & Sidcup GS v Gravesend GS
Christ’s Hospital Triangular: Christ’s Hospital, Eastbourne College 2nd XV, Hurstpierpoint 2nd XV
Clifton College Triangular: Blundell’s, Clifton College, Taunton School
Clifton College 2nd XV v King’s College, Taunton
Coopers’ Coborn v Colfe’s
Cranbrook v King’s Rochester
Cranbrook 2nd XV v Ashford
Culford v Wymondham College
Dauntsey’s v Bristol GS
Dollar Academy v Strathallan
Downside v King’s Bruton
Dundee HS v Robert Gordon’s College
Eltham College v St Olave’s GS
Eton College v Trinity
Exeter v Truro
Felsted v Stamford
Fettes College v Edinburgh Academy
Gresham’s v Norwich
Haberdashers’ Elstree v Aylesbury GS
Haileybury v Bedford
Hereford Cathedral v The Crypt
Hurstpierpoint College v Eastbourne College
Hutchestons’ GS v St Columba’s
John Fisher v Hampton
KCS Wimbledon v St John’s, Leatherhead
Kelvinside Academy v Lomond
King’s Canterbury v Simon Langton GS
King’s Gloucester v RGS Worcester
King Henry VIII v Wrekin College
King’s Worcester v Dean Close
Lancaster RGS v Merchant Taylors’
Langley Park v Latymer Upper
Leicester GS v Ratcliffe College
Liverpool College v Birkenhead
Lord Wandsworth College v Bryanston
Loughborough GS v Solihull
Manchester GS v Lymm HS
Merchiston Castle v Morrison’s Academy
Monkton Combe v Clayesmore
Mount Kelly v Plymouth College
North Berwick v Loretto
Oundle v Radley College
Pangbourne College v The Oratory
Portsmouth GS v KES Southampton
Princethorpe College v KES Stratford
QEGS Wakefield v Hymers College
Queen Victoria v Glasgow HS
Ravens Wood v Wallington CGS
Reigate GS v Reed’s
RGS Colchester v New Hall
RGS Guildford v Brighton College
RGS High Wycombe v Reading Blue Coat
Royal Alexandra & Albert v Gordon’s
Shiplake College v Magdalen College
Skinners’ v Sir Joseph Williamson’s
St Albans v Merchant Taylors’
St Ambrose College v Cheadle Hulme
St Anselm’s College v Ellesmere College
St Edward’s, Oxford v Malvern College
St George’s, Harpenden v Bedford Modern
St George’s, Weybridge v Emanuel
St Paul’s v Dulwich College
Stockport GS v St Mary’s College
Stonyhurst v Giggleswick
Sutton Valence v Duke of York’s RMS
The Grange v Stockport GS 2nd XV
The Judd v Maidstone Grammar
The Leys v Royal Hospital School
The Perse v Framlingham College
Tiffin v St Benedict’s
Trent College v Wellingborough
Warminster v Clifton HS
Watford GS v QES Barnet
Wellington v KES Bath
Wimbledon College v Campion
Windsor Boys’ v Halliford
Wisbech GS v King’s Ely
Worth v Churcher’s College
Yarm v Austin Friars
