This Friday night RGS Newcastle will host a key 7s tournament at the University of Newcastle’s Cochrane Park ground.

Eight sides will be in action competing for the Will Welch Cup, named after the Newcastle Falcons legend and former RGS Newcastle pupil, including some of the very biggest names in all of school rugby.

It is the start of a big weekend of 7s at RGS, with an U16 tournament being hosted the following day. In the U18 tournament on Friday night the eight sides are split into two pools of four teams each, with the top two from each group progressing to the Will Welch Cup semi finals and the bottom two heading to the Plate semi finals.

Both groups look fearsome. RGS Newcastle, as hosts, are in Group A but that does not make for an easy task, drawn as they are against one of the biggest names in global schools rugby, Sedbergh, who are going to want to make an early season statement ahead of the North of England School 7s and indeed the Rosslyn Park National School 7s – both LIVE here on NextGenXV.

Joining those two are Harrogate Grammar School, one of the best performing state schools of the last few years and a side that just seems to keep getting better and better. Completing the group are Newcastle School for Boys, another side whose rise seems to have been rapid and that have been putting in superb performances.

Over in Group B things get no less competitive. Another of schools rugby’s most famous names lurks in the form of Barnard Castle, who will fancy their chances on Friday night. Alongside them are St Peter’s York who, like Harrogate Grammar, travel North from Yorkshire and will bring plenty of competitiveness and quality to the competition.

Also in the group are ACE side Gosforth Academy, consistently one of the best sides in the North Pool of the ACE League and a side whose style lends itself superbly to 7s. Completing the group are Dame Allan’s, who have had a very strong season and are expected to be a very tough nut for anyone to crack on Friday night.

With every side in the competition bar Harrogate Grammar also competing in the North of England School 7s next month, Friday night has to be viewed as a key early indicator of 7s form ahead of that most brilliant of competitions.

It is set to be a fantastic evening of school 7s, featuring some of the very best in the country!

RGS Newcastle 7s Draw: