The draw for the 2024/25 Continental Tyres Schools Cup has been made, with the U18 and U15 competitions and both Cup and Vase level being drawn.
This season sees a revamped competition at both age-grades as the RFU had implemented a new ranking process ahead of the draws to help determine whether schools should sit in the Cup or the Vase, with rankings based on progression in the competition over the last 3 seasons, whilst factoring in new schools or inconsistent entries across seasons.
The new direction was introduced after feedback from regional Head of Rugby conferences, and will see far more teams in the Cup competitions, with 128 in the Cup at both U18 and U15 level.
That should also mean a far more competitive Plate with some well known names likely to fall in Round 1. Losers in the Cup in Round 1 enter the Plate, while losers in the Vase enter the Bowl.
What is should also mean is a competition in the Cup right from the off and a Vase competition that is truly for schools with developing, or new, rugby programmes.
Round Dates
The Draws
The full draws are listed below, but in the U18 competition champions Harrow start in London & South East A against St George’s Harpenden, two schools that have produced some absolute superstars through the years. Losing finalists Kirkham Grammar will face Merchant Taylors’ in North A, while previous champions Trinity meet Skinners in London & South East B.
North B sees a number of sides that have great history in the tournament, not least a fantastic game between two giants, Barnard Castle and RGS Newcastle. Midlands A is stacked with former champions, Bromsgrove, Oakham, and a Warwick side that kicks off the campaign against former finalists Old Swinford Hospital.
Midlands B has a huge derby to kick things off as St Joseph’s College and Ipswich School go head, what a start that will be, while in South West B Marlborough College head of rugby Terry Gilmour will be up against his previous school, Bishop Wordsworth’s.
The story of the early stages though is surely that schools rugby giants Millfield have decided to enter the Cup at U18 level for the first time in the lives of anyone that will be playing. A huge development for the competition. They begin with an away trip to Taunton School.
Over in the U15s a repeat fixture of the U18s takes place in North A with Barnard Castle and RGS Newcastle meeting. Could one of them go 2/2 in that fixture across the ages? Likewise in South West B, where Millfield head to Taunton School.
Reigning champions Radley College have a cracking first fixture away at Cup legends RGS High Wycombe, while perennial champions and finalists Warwick and QEGS Wakefield both have big starts, Warwick hosting Dean Close in Midlands A, QEGS Wakefield travelling to Mount St Mary’s College in North B.
Northampton School for Boys are starting to join the ranks of the perennial finalists, they begin at Bloxham in Midlands B, meanwhile Cup legends Whitgift are at Wimbledon College in London & South East B. There is a great derby game in South West A too as Brighton College head to Hurstpierpoint College.
Overall both Cup competitions look more competitive and deep than ever, without the litany of byes from days gone bye.
Meanwhile the Vase, see draw below, looks completely wide open. The 2024/25 Continental Tyres Schools Cup and Vase campaigns look set to be classics!
