The waiting is almost over, this weekend the 2024/25 schools rugby season begins and it is set to be a blockbuster start to the season.
The opening weekend sees some huge fixtures as some of those that expected to be scrapping at the very top end of the school game come the end of the season go head to head. However it is not just about those teams and those fixtures, every single game across the country matters enormously for those involved. This is the opening salvo, the first proper chance, and for many players the first ever chance to pull on the 1st XV shirt of their school.
It is a moment of enormous pride, whether you expect to be challenging for silverware or not. At every school the sense of history is immense when wearing the shirt, at most it is following in the footsteps over a 100+ year tradition, 201 in Rugby School’s case, at others it might be a new sport, for pupils there the history still resonates though, they are beginning that process that others are celebrating a century of – they will be remembered.
On the field the start of the season is the one time that everything is the same for every team – everything is possible. Until that first competitive game you simply don’t know what could unfold, only the guesswork of pre-season and previous years in younger age-groups can guide you.
Regardless of outcome, history, or expectation though, the opening weekend of the season is special – always. It is about opportunity, fun, and pride, and that continues right through the season. The best days of most players’ rugby lives are ahead of them over the next four months, seven if they are lucky enough to play 7s, our role, everyone’s role, is to help everyone remember that.
Over the season these pages will be filled with tales of scorelines and victory, glory and defeat, these are the metrics by which we all measure sport. That competition and striving for glory is also why we created sports in the first place and why we all enjoy them, that should never be forgotten. But at heart, though these may be the tales we will write, school rugby is not about outcome, it’s not about skill and rugby development either (even though those in the RFU corridors and indeed many coaches would label anyone saying that a heretic), it is simply about memories and enjoyment.
There is a lot to worry about as a teenager, but on a Friday night or Saturday afternoon rugby should be a release, banding together with your mates in a challenge that requires ultimate teamwork, huge sacrifice in effort, no little pain. It is hard and that’s what makes it great. Too often when talking about rugby we reduce the messaging to a line because everyone assumes everyone else knows the context. You will see all season variants on the line “it’s not about winning or losing”, it’s true but it’s contextless. All sport is about trying to win, that’s the aim. What we are trying to say though is that losing isn’t failure, not giving your all is the failure.
Rugby, more so than any other, demands that you give it your all. If you collectively give it everything then, win or lose, you can leave the field with a sense of pride and achievement. There is no greater feeling than the feeling of walking off the field with nothing left to give. That’s the context.
Enjoy the season, enjoy the opening weekend, there are tremendous games across the country, previewed below.
Schools Rugby Weekend Preview
Ten to Watch
As in previous years, each week we will pick out ten fixtures that simply cannot be missed and this opening weekend has ten absolute crackers across Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Oundle v Bedford – Friday
Among a plethora of games to start the season on Friday evening is a huge one between Oundle and Bedford. Almost always a season opener for these two, this year it moves to Friday night and in so doing it adds even more drama and excitement for both sides. Oundle had one of their best seasons in a long time last year, they will be looking to build on that, Bedford too had a good year and saw numerous players represent Northampton Saints, old boy George Furbank has just been named Saints skipper, they will be eager to raise even higher again. It should make for a cracker on Friday night.
Brighton College v Tonbridge – Saturday
A beast of a game to open the season on the south coast, Brighton College were utterly outstanding last year and will have high hopes of another top season this year. Tonbridge meanwhile had a season with real promise, they were not at the heights of the mid 2000s or mid 2010s, but they were rising, and they will be keen to continue that upward trajectory. A schools rugby world with Tonbridge at the top end of it is a healthy schools rugby world, and a huge season opener between these two giants is a mighty way to kick off the schools rugby season.
Clifton College v Harrow – Saturday
The game of the weekend? Quite possibly. It was one of the games of the season last year when a high scoring thriller went the way of Harrow, a game described by one onlooker as the best schools rugby game they had ever seen. Harrow went on to dominate the season, producing one of the greatest schools rugby seasons that there has ever been and a team that will be celebrated for decades. Clifton College were not far off that though and had a habit of producing utter thrillers, a fortnight after this game last year they were, as they would admit themselves, getting hammered by Millfield at half time. They were made of stern stuff though, turning it around in the second half and scoring with a dramatic last play try to win it. That’s the calibre of teams that these two were last year, and both will be in that range again this. As guides for who might be there when the big prizes are handed out at the end of the year, this game will be a useful one. A huge game, two sides that we expect to be outstanding, it’s not to be missed.
Kingswood v Cheltenham College – Saturday
Kingswood were the surprise packages of the 2023/24 season, underpinned by the brilliance of fly half James Linegar. There is a real sense of excitement around seeing how they progress this year, and an opening fixture against the ever-consistent Cheltenham College is a tantalising opener. Cheltenham College had a decent season last year, and will be looking to build further this year – and with a strong fixture list it looks like a very exciting year indeed. Saturday will be a real test for both sides as a season opener, and a fantastic matchup for the neutral. Definitely one to watch.
Millfield v Llandovery College – Saturday
Billed as still being a pre-season game, and with Millfield also having a side heading to Blundell’s you could be forgiven for slightly overlooking this one. However when arguably the most famous schools rugby name in England takes on arguably the most famous schools rugby name in Wales, you can never look away. Both were magnificent last year, Llandovery College winning the Welsh Schools & Colleges League, Millfield building and building through the year before finishing off with the Howden Rosslyn Park National Schools 7s titles, each lived up to their mighty reputations. Pre-Season or not, Saturday is utterly tantalising.
Rugby v Oakham – Saturday
The 200-year anniversary part might be over at Rugby School, but the 201st year could well be an exciting one. An exhaustive schedule last year made results harder to come by, but beneath that there was a young and exciting side bursting to strut their stuff. The bulk of that side comes back this year, and there is every reason for them to be optimistic. Up against them though are an Oakham side that has had a thorough pre-season, 45 players travelled to represent them at the Hartpury Collge pre-season festival last week, Oakham are deep, Oakham are talented, and Oakham are exceptionally well-coached. This is a massive game to kick the season off with on the hallowed turf of The Close. It should be a cracking contest too.
Stamford v Stowe – Saturday
There is rarely a year in which Stamford or Stowe leave you disappointed, and last year both had some outstanding highs. A season opener between the two is tantalising, and should provide plenty of clues as to the season ahead. At this stage in the year everything is an unknown, but it would be a huge surprise if this game is not an absolute cracker – games between these two almost always are.
St Joseph’s College v Seaford College – Saturday
A huge game, and one that should teach us plenty ahead of the St Joseph’s Festival in October. Seaford College are back in the Festival and they will want to make a big statement and will also simply be hugely keen to make a strong start to the season – they have a strong side and will be eager to hit the ground running. St Joseph’s meanwhile will also be more than eager for a good start, they have taken a different tack this year – in years gone by this first half of term was all about building towards the Festival, a relatively local and relatively low-key fixture list, that’s all changed this year, they are challenging themselves in a big way, Seaford first up, then the likes of Millfield, Brighton College, Clifton College, and Ipswich, to name a few. An exciting year ahead, and a fantastic opening game for both, particularly as it will be held at Ealing Trailfinders as part of whole day of rugby that will see the U14s and U15s kick off at 10am, the U16s and 2nd XVs at 11.30am, before the 1st XVs at 1pm, creating a real sense of occasion and buildup, and a brilliant experience for all.
Warwick v Bromsgrove – Saturday
The traditional season opener for these two, who always bookend their season with home and away games against one another. It is one of the great rivalries in schools rugby, heightened by the fact that for four years in the mid-2010s these two had a grip on the Schools Cup. Saturday will be a brilliant occasion, games between these two always are and not just because of the rivalry, they are great games because these two are always competitive. Keep an eye out on Warwick too, they are working with NextGenXV partners Fiibac, who have produced an easy to use feedback app that is set to be a game changer.
Sedbergh v Whitgift – Sunday
A Sunday fixture to round off the opening weekend, and what a fixture it is as well – Sedbergh v Whitgift. Two giants of the global school game meeting in the only fixture of the day, it is a must-see game. Neither had the fifteen-a-side season that they would have wanted last year, and yet both will arrive with their tails up already. Sedbergh finished off last season by winning the Sedbergh Super 10s for the first time since 2019, many of those players will feature this year and will still be feeling the glow from that. Whitgift, meanwhile, won the prestigious Esher President’s Cup in pre-season ahead of a very strong field that included Millfield, they are going to be bursting with confidence. A confident Sedbergh and a confident Whitgift is a recipe for only one thing, an absolutely fantastic game of rugby.
Around the Grounds
Friday 6th September
Friday has some fantastic games to go alongside the featured Oundle v Bedford game. In the North East Durham and Harrogate Grammar meet in a highly intriguing game, Durham have had some outstanding sides, while Harrogate have had back to back strong seasons, it should be fantastic.
In the Midlands Princethorpe College put out two sides, one group takes on Coventry College with another in action against Trent College, two games that should provide plenty of lessons ahead of the main season to come.
Two big rivals meet in the South West, Prior Park College and Downside, past years suggest a good game and both sides would love a strong start as they aim to challenge as high as possible this year.
In London, meanwhile, St Benedict’s open their season at home to Worth, a big game for both sides who, with a bit of momentum, are always capable of strong seasons. Meanwhile Grey Court host Lingfield College, a big season opener for both under the lights.
Friday Fixtures
Durham v Harrogate Grammar
Grey Court v Lingfield College
Princethorpe College v Coventry College
Princethorpe College v Trent College
Prior Park College v Downside
St Benedict’s v Worth
Saturday 7th September
Saturday is a huge day, the first full day of action of the season and a day that sees the introduction of a new league in the form of the West Anglia Schools League. The league is a six team league featuring St Albans, Merchant Taylors’, The Perse, Bedford Modern, Bishop’s Stortford High School, and St George’s Harpenden. The aim being to create a competitive framework around which each side can build their season without adding additional fixtures and therefore not adding to the strains of the calendar. The aim is to promote the values of rugby, with post-match presentations, captains speeches, and rewards for players that exhibit those values the best.
The league kicks off this weekend with two fixtures, Bedford Modern hosting St Albans and St George’s Harpenden hosting Merchant Taylors’. St Albans have been tearing up trees in recent years, with a number of players representing Saracens. Last year these two met in the Continental Tyres Schools Vase and despite St Albans’ form, they were given a real test by Bedford Modern, who were on top through much of the game. St Albans came through, but it was tight, expect another tight one of Saturday with both sides having fresh faces in key positions.
Last year Merchant Taylors’ vs St George’s Harpenden was a classic too, Merchant Taylors’ edging it by a mere point, 20-19. It should be another cracking game this year, St George’s have plenty of promise and Merchant Taylors’ have had a busy pre-season, taking 64 players to Canada over the summer for an epic five game tour. 7 players will be making their debuts on Saturday in what should be a cracker to kick the league off.
Saturday is also a day rich with triangular fixtures as sides look to get as much action in as they can while the light holds. Wellington College host Berkhamsted and RGS High Wycombe in a triangular set of games that looks as though it could be outstanding. Wellington College are always strong and look likely to be so again this year after a stunning performance against Northampton School for Boys in pre-season. Likewise Berkhamsted, who will be hopefully of another strong year again and this early season test will be huge for that. RGS High Wycombe meanwhile are very exciting, with a lower 6th heavy squad last year they reached the finals of the St Joseph’s Festival and the Seaford Southern Tens. With a year’s growth and maturity they could be an even stronger force this time around.
John Fisher also host a triangular, it is a key season for the Croydon side as they also host a state schools festival on the 19th and 20th October, a huge development both for them and state school rugby in general. Saturday sees them welcome two of the biggest independent schools though in Eton College and Cranleigh. The Eton vs John Fisher fixture is well established at this time of year, but the addition of Cranleigh adds to the excitement even more. Cranleigh looked incredibly strong in pre-season, but they will have to be, Eton College have been outstanding in recent years and John Fisher are one of the biggest names in schools rugby. It should be a great afternoon of rugby. Cranleigh also send a side to take on Christ’s Hospital on the same day, with Christ’s Hospital looking to step up after some tricky challenges in seasons past.
Across in Henley there is another triangular, Shiplake College welcome two south coast rivals to Oxfordshire, KES Southampton and Portsmouth Grammar. It ought to be a cracking set of fixtures, and a brilliant chance to assess where each side sits ahead of the further tests this season. All three will be eager to impress, and all three are more than capable.
Elsewhere some of last year’s very best sides are in action, not least Kirkham Grammar School, the reigning St Joseph’s Festival champions and Continental Tyres Schools Cup finalists. They are at home to Wirral Grammar, a big challenge for the peninsula side but not an easy start for Kirkham either.
Hurstpierpoint College had one of their best ever seasons last year and they will be keen for more this year. They have a challenging start though, hosting a good St John’s Leatherhead side. Likewise The Judd, they have been outstanding in the last couple of years, but they host an RGS Guildford side that can say the same, it’s a blockbuster opener to the season and will set the winner up for a confident start.
Denstone College showed real promise last year and looked brilliant in pre-season as well, with the back row in particular outstanding. They have a challenging start though, away to an Uppingham side that has some exciting plans this year with old boy curtain-raisers to a few games, they will be keen to have a strong year to compliment that.
Some of Scotland’s finest are in action too, not least Strathallan, who will be heading to the NextGenXV Global Schools Challenge in December. They have a challenging start to the campaign, hosting Scottish legends Merchiston Castle. Likewise Dollar Academy, who welcome a George Watson’s College side that has been nothing short of outstanding in pre-season, just ask their English opposition. Another cracker will be Edinburgh Academy v Stewart’s Melville, two of the proudest names in Scottish schools rugby.
There are two massive Anglo-Welsh fixtures to kick things off too, Dean Close hop across the Severn to take on Christ College, two sides that have had some outstanding teams of late, while Monmouth host Old Swinford Hospital, again two sides that have had excellent seasons in the recent past.
Back in England, Yorkshire has two classic fixtures, including an all Yorkshire affair between Ampleforth College and Bradford Grammar, could this be the year that one or both of these sleeping giants of the school game returns to the top? St Peter’s York also have a cracker, welcoming RGS Newcastle down the A1 for another fixture between two beasts of the school game.
Further North Durham have two sides out against first fifteen opposition, their 1st XV hosting Austin Friars, their second XV hosting Yarm, a busy day at one of the countries earliest rugby playing schools. Along the road Dame Allan’s have an international fixture to kick the season off, hosting Fettes College of Scotland, a magnificent fixture.
Back in Yorkshire, Hymers College welcome Barnard Castle, who will be hoping to build on some fantastic recent seasons. Meanwhile Pocklington head to Silcoates for a competitive start to the season.
Across the Pennines there are some brilliant fixtures, not least at Lancaster RGS, they host King’s Macclesfield, two sides that always have the ability to push some of the very best around. Stonyhurst, once one of the kings of school rugby, kick their season off at AKS Lytham, while Lymm High School head to Sandbach and Wilmlsow High School travel to Altrincham Grammar.
One of the biggest games in the region sees Stockport Grammar host Manchester Grammar, could one of those put together a big season? Meanwhile Scarisbrick Hall will be hoping for another strong year, they host The Grange, while Cheadle Hulme welcome St Anselm’s College.
Loughborough Grammar School have a busy day in the Midlands, with fixtures against Bishop Vesey’s Grammar, Hill House, and Ratcliffe College, a strong day to kick off the season. Along the road Leicester Grammar and Wellingborough meet in a good early season tester, while Nottingham High School host King’s Grantham.
In Oxfordshire St Edward’s, who will be in action live on NextGenXV a week on Friday, will be looking to arrive at that game in full confidence – they will have to work hard though, they host a Reading Blue Coat side that has been outstanding in recent times. Further West Solihull and King’s Worcester meet, two schools that have had some fantastic teams over the years and both will be keen to get off to the strongest possible start to set up for another. Hereford Cathedral School have also developed rapidly recently, they head to Shropshire to take on Wrekin College. Malvern College have an exciting start to the season too, they are welcoming Wycliffe College for what should be a cracker to start the year.
Further into the South West, Pate’s Grammar School welcome RGS Worcester to Gloucestershire, while in Bristol there is a massive game as Collegiate kick their season off at home to Sir Thomas Rich’s, two sides that performed outstandingly well last year.
Bath and its surrounds has some crackers too, not least KES Bath v Bristol Grammar, KES have been looking strong in pre-season and will hope to translate that into the regular season now. Monkton Combe meanwhile host King’s Bruton, and Wellington School, who had some brilliant performances last year, welcome QEH.
Devon sees a couple of excellent games, Blundell’s were fantastic last year and have a huge start to the season this year when they host a Millfield XV. Look out for Blundell’s again this year. Meanwhile it’s a big game at Exeter School as they welcome Plymouth College for a huge game.
Dorset has a brilliant season opener as well, in the form of Sherborne’s trip to Canford, two sides that always have the capability of huge form. Meanwhile in Wiltshire Marlborough College kick off their campaign at home to Bloxham, after a good year last year, Marlborough will be looking to progress even further this. So too Sir Thomas Rich’s, who travel out to Dauntsey’s for their season opener, another strong game to get things started.
In Surrey Reed’s welcome Abingdon, Reed’s had a strong outing at the King’s Macclesfield festival and will be keen to build on that, Abingdon are a formidable opening opposition though. Reigate Grammar are also in action, a big opening game against Colfe’s, ahead of some fantastic challenges to come.
Across in Kent, King’s Canterbury and Duke of York’s Royal Military School go head to head to kick off the season, meanwhile Sevenoaks v Caterham could be an outstanding game. Caterham always have strong potential, likewise Sevenoaks. Along the road Cranbrook welcome St Olave’s Grammar, another strong opening test for both.
London is packed full of great fixtures this weekend, perhaps chief among them being St Paul’s v Epsom College. St Paul’s will be looking to put together a strong season, while Epsom always have the potential to compete with the very strongest sides around. Wimbledon College kick off at home to Langley Park, while Tiffin and Wallington County Grammar go head to head. Halliford have been fantastic in the last few years, but they start with a big test, away to London Oratory. Emanuel also start off away from home, they head to Latymer Upper.
South East London sees Eltham College host Gravesend Grammar, a top game for both to kick off with, while Dartford Grammar host Sir Joseph Williamson’s and Campion, who will be aiming for another top season, host Coopers’ Coborn.
North London meanwhile sees Mill Hill host three sides in the form of UCS, QES Barnet, and a Dulwich College side that is going to be eager for a big start after a great finish to the 7s season last year. In Hertfordshire one of the biggest and most anticipated games of the opening weekend awaits as Haileyburyand Felsted go head to head, two sides that consistently compete with the very best around and who will both be looking for a strong start as they aim for competitive seasons. Richard Hale, who were outstanding en route to the Schools Bowl last year, host UCS, while across at Bishop’s Stortford College the visitors are Norfolk’s Langley.
Cambridge sees The Leys look to get off to a strong start against visitors Wymondham College, while in Suffolk there are two Suffolk/Norfolk derbies as Royal Hospital School host Norwich School and Framlingham College welcome a Gresham’s side that now has England’s record caps holder Ben Youngs assisting the team.
Back up in Scotland, Dundee High School head to Robert Gordon’s College, while Glasgow Academy are at Hutchesons’ Grammar, who have had a busy pre season, and Marr College host Glasgow High School.
Saturday Fixtures
AKS Lytham v Stonyhurst
Altrincham Grammar v Wilmslow High
Ampleforth College v Bradford Grammar
Bedford Modern v St Albans (West Anglia Schools League)
Bishop’s Stortford College v Langley
Blundell’s v Millfield
Campion v Coopers’ Coborn
Canford v Sherborne
Cheadle Hulme v St Anselm’s College
Christ College v Dean Close
Christ’s Hospital v Cranleigh
Collegiate v King’s College, Taunton
Cranbrook v St Olave’s Grammar
Dame Allan’s v Fettes College
Dartford Grammar v Sir Joseph Williamson’s
Dauntsey’s v Sir Thomas Rich’s
Dollar Academy v George Watson’s College
Durham v Austin Friars
Durham 2nd XV v Yarm
Edinburgh Academy v Stewart’s Melville
Eltham College v Gravesend Grammar
Exeter School v Plymouth College
Framlingham College v Gresham’s
Haileybury v Felsted
Hurstpierpoint College v St John’s, Leatherhead
Hutchesons’ Grammar v Glasgow Academy
Hymers College v Barnard Castle
John Fisher Triangular: Cranleigh, Eton College, John Fisher
KES Bath v Bristol Grammar
King’s Canterbury v Duke of York’s Royal Military
Kirkham Grammar v Wirral Grammar
Lancaster RGS v King’s Macclesfield
Latymer Upper v Emanuel
Leicester Grammar v Wellingborough
London Oratory v Halliford
Loughborough Grammar v Bishop Vesey’s Grammar
Loughborough Grammar v Hill House
Loughborough Grammar v Ratcliffe College
Malvern College v Wycliffe College
Marlborough College v Bloxham
Marr College v Glasgow High
Mill Hill v Dulwich College
Mill Hill v Oaklands College
Mill Hill v QES Barnet
Monkton Combe v King’s Bruton
Monmouth v Old Swinford Hospital
Nottingham High v King’s Grantham
Pangbourne College v St George’s, Weybridge
Pate’s Grammar v RGS Worcester
Reed’s v Abingdon
Reigate Grammar v Colfe’s
Richard Hale v UCS
Robert Gordon’s College v Dundee High
Royal Hospital School v Norwich
Sandbach v Lymm High
Scarisbrick Hall v The Grange
Sevenoaks v Caterham
Shiplake College Triangular: KES Southampton, Portsmouth Grammar, Shiplake College
Silcoates v Pocklington
Solihull v King’s Worcester
St Edward’s, Oxford v Reading Blue Coat
St George’s Harpenden v Merchant Taylors’ (West Anglia Schools League)
St Paul’s v Epsom College
St Peter’s, York v RGS Newcastle
Stockport Grammar v Manchester Grammar
Strathallan v Merchiston Castle
The Judd v RGS Guildford
The Leys v Wymondham College
Tiffin v Wallington County Grammar
Uppingham v Denstone College
Wellington College Triangular: Berkhamsted, RGS High Wycombe, Wellington College
Wellington School v QEH
Wimbledon College v Langley Park
Wrekin College v Hereford Cathedral School