After a brilliant opening weekend of rugby and an exciting midweek of Continental Tyres Schools Cup action, the 2024/25 schools rugby season feels in full swing, despite being under a week old.
Already certain sides have had significant performance. Epsom College, for instance, have scored over 100 points in two games and have faced schools with proud reputations. These opening weeks of any season are often an uncertain time for accurate assessment of sides, it takes a few weeks to see the patterns of relative strengths across the country, but it is certainly a time where sides can impress.
It is also a time for those on the wrong end of results not to be too downbeat – perhaps the side you just faced is, in fact, just outstanding and anyone facing them would have struggled. Back yourselves.
This weekend’s action is sure to see plenty backing themselves, there are some terrific match ups throughout the fixture list – within our Ten to Watch and beyond. If last weekend was good, this weekend should be even better.
NextGenXV will also bring you two LIVE games this weekend, first on Friday night from Oxford University’s Iffley Road ground, where St Edward’s Oxford will host Merchant Taylors’. The stands are expected to be packed out for the 7pm kick off and if previous games there are anything to go by, it is sure to be one of the great schools rugby atmospheres. You can catch it all on the NextGenXV YouTube Channel and through the video below.
Then on Saturday comes a live game between two of the giants of the global school game, Whitgift and Wellington College. They meet for the annual Seb Adeniran-Olule memorial game, raising funds for Sebs Foundations, set up following the tragic death in 2016 of the former pupil of both schools. The game kicks off at 2.30pm and, as ever, will be available on the NextGenXV YouTube Channel and through the video below, if previous fixtures between the two are a guide then it should be a magnificent game.
Ten to Watch
This week’s Ten to Watch should be a series of fantastic games, from local derbies and live games to cross-border games and poignant memorial fixtures. It is going to be a very special weekend of schools rugby.
Barnard Castle v Woodhouse Grove – Saturday
Two schools rugby giants go head to head on Saturday and both are in flying form already. Barnard Castle particularly are looking superb, two games in and over a hundred points scored after victory over Hymers College last weekend and a Cup victory over rivals RGS Newcastle in midweek. Woodhouse Grove are also sizzling though, a strong Cup win in midweek and, even more impressively, a tight victory last weekend over ACE side Bishop Burton College. It is a huge head to head and you get the sense that these two are going to be making headlines through the year.
Brighton College v Hampton (Peter Bellenger Memorial) – Friday
A poignant game on Friday night as Brighton College meet Hampton in their annual Peter Bellenger Memorial game. Bellenger was a teacher at Brighton College and sadly passed away due to Motor Neurone Disease, the game will be part of a fundraising effort towards the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation ( www.myname5doddie.co.uk ). On the field, expect plenty. Brighton College were stung last week by Tonbridge, their first defeat since October 2022, but in hanging in and almost turning the game around at the death they showed their quality and spirit. Hampton meanwhile were also in a tight one, edging out KCS Wimbledon away from home. It should be an incredible occasion under the lights on Friday, and a brilliant game of rugby.
Denstone College v Sedbergh – Saturday
This is a huge game and one with a little bit of spice to it, back in 2022 Denstone became the first visiting side in years to win on Buskhome. Sedbergh turned that around last year, again on Buskhome, but now they travel to Denstone College and will face a Denstone side that should be in confident form after a strong showing in pre-season and a superb performance at Uppingham last weekend. Sedbergh ought to be confident too though, on Sunday they opened their campaign with a fantastic 32-21 victory over Whitgift – who had won the President’s Cup the week before. Undoubtedly two fantastic sides, and two sides that should create a brilliant game of rugby on Saturday.
Epsom College v Radley College – Saturday
As mentioned, Epsom College are off to a flying start. Two from two and in sparkling fashion, little wonder, their U16s were magnificent last year and that is translating on the pitch early on alongside last year’s L6th. In Radley College they face a bit of an unknown quantity, in that this is Radley’s first game of the season. Could that leave Radley a little cold relative to Epsom, or might it mean that they are fresh and ready versus Epsom facing their third game in 8 days. It is all in up in the air and makes it fascinating. Certainly Radley ought to have a good side, but so do Epsom College. It feels like a game that is absolutely not to be missed.
Llandovery College v Clifton College – Friday
Another massive Friday night fixture between two real giants of Welsh and English rugby. Llandovery College were the best team in Wales last year, champions in the Welsh Schools & Colleges League. Clifton College were meanwhile among the best in England, as they have been for a while. Clifton are in champion defeating form early on this season as well, they faced last year’s kings of English schools rugby, Harrow, last week and earning a good victory. They will be excited at the prospect of Llandovery as opposition now. Llandovery are going to be excited too, last week they lost out to Millfield but performed admirably on the Sir Gareth Edwards pitch, they are going to be determined to bounce back quick and to avoid going into the Welsh season having had back to back defeats. It’s a heavyweight contest for sure and it should be superb.
Seaford College v Hurstpierpoint College – Saturday
A big local rivalry on Saturday as Seaford College and Hurstpierpoint College meet. Seaford College made a strong start to the campaign with victory over St Joseph’s College last week at Ealing Trailfinders and, on home soil for the first time this season, will be eager to go back to back to gain real momentum in what is a massive season for them. Hurstpierpoint College meanwhile continue to ride the wave of a terrific 2023/24 after back to back opening victories this season, including in the Cup on Tuesday just three days after their opener. Hurstpierpoint secured victory last time around, but their last victory at Seaford was in 2013. Will that trend continue or will the run end on Saturday. One way or another, it’s going to be great fun finding out.
Stamford v Haileybury – Saturday
Games between these two are usually brilliant, just take last year’s fixture at the StoneX Stadium (see below), an absolute cracker won dramatically by Stamford, who then had a more comfortably victory in the Cup a couple of weeks later. Both have started this season brilliantly, each with two victories in the opening week, Stamford edging out a strong Stowe side before an excellent Cup victory over King’s Grantham, Haileybury with a stunning performance against Felsted before a good Cup victory over last year’s Bowl winners Richard Hale on Tuesday. It sets up for another cracker between these two on Saturday, both a showing such impressive early signs that it feels like a fascinating watch for anyone lucky enough to be there.
St Edward’s, Oxford v Merchant Taylors’ – LIVE from Iffley Road, 7pm KO, Friday
The NextGenXV team cannot wait for this one, last year the atmosphere at Iffley Road for Teddies v Magdalen College was one of the best in schools rugby. This year it might not be a local derby, but Merchant Taylors’ are a good side and have vociferous support – expect another cracking atmosphere. Both sides have started the season well ahead of this live 7pm kick off and will be itching to perform under the lights. You can read our full preview of the game here: Teddies v Merchant Taylors’ preview.
Tonbridge v The Judd – Saturday
This local derby has had a real level of spice added to it in the last couple of years after The Judd’s rugby really developed. That came to a head in 2022 when The Judd stunned Tonbridge for a 21-8 away victory, their first since available records in 2006. Tonbridge hit back last year with a 34-5 victory at The Judd but this new rivalry to the derby remains. Both have started the season brilliantly too, Tonbridge with that excellent victory at Brighton College last week, Judd with victory at home to RGS Guildford last week and then impressively away at Eastbourne College in the Cup on Tuesday. It is going to be a tasty game, of that there is little doubt.
Whitgift v Wellington College (Seb Adeniran-Olule Memorial) – LIVE 2.30pm KO, Saturday
Another poignant game as Whitgift and Wellington College support Sebs Foundation ( www.sebsfoundation.org ). Year on year this game is a brilliant early season fixture between two of the great rugby schools, and it should be again this year with both sides looking strong. There has been real drama in this fixture over the years, not least on this ground in 2022 when it went down to the wire. It is one of the great occasions, and you can check out our full preview of the game here: Whitgift v Wellington College Preview.
Around the Grounds
Friday 13th September:
Aside from the three Friday fixtures in our Ten to Watch, there is plenty more intrigue on Friday elsewhere too. Not least in Scotland where two beasts go head to head, Merchiston Castle and Fettes College. Both are off to strong starts, Merchiston earning victory at Strathallan last time out while Fettes travelled to England and Dame Allan’s and came home with a brilliant victory.
Also on Friday there is a double header for Northampton School for Boys. Their 2nd XV kick things off against Leicester Grammar School before their 1st XV then take on one of last year’s very best sides, Ipswich. In this game last year Ipswich caught NSB cold and the Suffolk side will be keen for such an early momentum booster again this year. However Ipswich arrive off the back of midweek Cup defeat to local rivals St Joseph’s College, while for NSB this is the opening game of the season – they are fresh. It could well be a cracker.
In Surrey, Caterham host KCS Wimbledon a fantastic game and one where Caterham will need to be at their best after a strong showing from KCS last week despite a narrow defeat to Hampton.
There are a couple of Continental Tyres Schools Vase games on Friday too as City of London Freemen’s host George Abbot in London & South East A and Cokethorpe welcome King Alfred’s in Midlands A, rounding off a fantastic week of action in both the Cup and the Vase.
Friday Fixtures
Caterham v KCS Wimbledon
City of London Freemen’s v George Abbot (Vase Round 1)
Cokethorpe v King Alfred’s (Vase Round 1)
Merchiston Castle v Fettes College
Northampton School for Boys v Ipswich
Northampton School for Boys 2nd XV v Leicester Grammar
Saturday 14th September
There is so much going on this Saturday, with some of the expected heavyweights of the season meeting, plenty of last weekend’s star performers in action again, and a couple of knockout games to throw into the mix as well.
Cranleigh were one of the outstanding side last weekend, making our Top 5 School Teams of the Weekend after defeating Eton College and John Fisher in a triangular. They now host Trinity on Saturday, for whom it is the first game of the season. Eton College meanwhile look to bounce back from that Cranleigh defeat when they host a St Paul’s side that head an equally tough first outing. John Fisher meanwhile have a cracking home encounter against Skinners’, always a fantastic game of rugby and John Fisher will be keen for another stepping stone on the road to their State Schools Festival this October.
There is a big derby in the Midlands too, Oundle v Uppingham. Oakham might be Uppingham’s closest rivals, but the derby with Oundle has always had a special resonance and both arrive in good spirits. Oundle were excellent in victory over Bedford last weekend, while Uppingham stood up well in defeat to an excellent Denstone College side before a brilliant midweek Cup victory, Saturday should be an excellent game. Bedfordmeanwhile host a Rugby School side that earned a tight victory over Oakham last weekend, Oakham meanwhile are on the road again as they head to Stowe, with both looking to turn tight defeats and impressive performances last week into victory this.
Not much was tighter than Bromsgrove’s 6-3 victory over Warwick last week, one for the purists you might say. This week Bromsgrove have another top quality opponent in the form of Sir Thomas Rich’s, who fell narrowly to Dauntsey’s. It should be another good game. Warwick meanwhile head to Berkhamsted, who were highly competitive in a triangular last week with Wellington College and RGS High Wycombe. RGS High Wycombe look to keep their momentum up after that triangular and a good Cup victory in the week as they host St John’s Leatherhead, who will be keen to quickly bounce back after facing the magnificent Epsom College.
Harrow were the dominant force last year and look good again this year after a good performance in defeat to Clifton last week was backed up by a brilliant Cup victory in midweek. Now they host Dulwich College, who had a good runout in the Mill Hill triangular last weekend but will be itching for their first ‘proper’ Saturday fixture of the season after a stunning Cup victory in midweek. A classic fixture. Mill Hill meanwhile were also in victories form in the Cup in midweek, they now head to Felsted, who are going to be fired up to show the best of themselves after a tough opener at Haileybury.
One of Saturday’s biggest games is Blundell’s v Millfield. Blundell’s have been brilliant in recent years and Millfield are one of the biggest names in global schools rugby. Both are going to be eager to perform on Saturday though after midweek Cup defeat, Blundell’s going down to an Ivybridge Community College side that is looking fantastic this year in what was Blundell’s first game of the season, Millfield meanwhile lost out at Taunton School. It may have been a much changed Millfield side from the one that earned superb victory over Llandovery College last week but it will nevertheless sting. So Saturday should be a huge game and expect big performances from both, it’s not to be missed. Meanwhile former Millfield and Bath star Tom Ellis has taken over at Sutton Valence in Kent, they travel to Eastbourne College on Saturday, who are celebrating 125 years of rugby at the school. Both are looking for a fast response after midweek Cup defeats, so expect a fantastic game.
Back in the South West, Marlborough College v Sherborne is a massive game, two classic schools of the schoolboy rugby circuit. Both are off to good starts as well, victories last Saturday backed up by midweek Cup progress, so expect a confident style from both an a great game of rugby. It’s a similar tale over in Wales where Cheltenham College make the trip across the border to take on Monmouth, two excellent sides in fine early season form.
In the North there are some huge head to heads as well, not least King’s Macclesfield v QEGS Wakefield, two sides that always have a huge influence on the season. King’s are off to a flying star with back to back victories while for QEGS this is the opening fixture, a massive game with which to kick off. Stonyhurst and St Peter’s York are two other beasts of the school game, St Peter’s head to Stonyhurst after a great start to the year with two victories from two, Stonyhurst are also in good form, a Cup victory in midweek following the tightest of defeats in their season opener.
There are also a couple of knockout games on Saturday. In the Continental Tyres Schools Cup Bristol Grammar School host Kingswood in South West A with both eager to bounce back after opening weekend defeat. The winner will face either Collegiate or Downside in the next round. Meanwhile in the Continental Tyres Schools Vase, St Columba’s College and St Edmund’s College go head to head in Midlands B, with a trip to either Beaumont or Sir John Lawes the reward for the victor.
Back in the non-knockout games, the excitement continues in the North East with Austin Friars and Newcastle School for Boys going head to head in what should be a good game. Meanwhile RGS Newcastle look to find their form as they host Lancaster RGS, and Dame Allan’s welcome a good Mount St Mary’s College side north. Yorkshire meanwhile sees Ampleforth College look to back up that stunning opening day victory as they make the trip to Pocklington. A little further south, Trent College and Loughborough Grammar will meet in Nottingham, meanwhile local rivals Nottingham High School are heading off to take on Bablake.
The North West is, as ever, busy. There is a derby game on the Wirral as Birkenhead host St Anselm’s College – a game that is always a highlight, meanwhile Wirral Grammar School are on the road as they head to Sandbach. The Grange welcome Lymm High School, and Merchant Taylors’ are hosting Manchester Grammar.
Meanwhile St Ambrose College, a good side, are hosting what is set to be a Kirkham Grammar School 2ndXV after an incredibly busy start to the season for their 1st XV. Elsewhere, Wilmslow High School hostStockport Grammar School, and Altrincham Grammar are on the road at AKS Lytham.
Further South, Princethorpe College are in action at home to a strong Old Swinford Hospital side, while KES Stratford and KES Birmingham go head to head in a massive game on Saturday. Solihull meanwhile welcome Oxford’s Abingdon, who enjoyed a tight Cup victory in midweek. While over in Oxfordshire Bloxham welcome King’s Worcester. Shiplake College host The Oratory, that one should be a cracker, and Pangbourne College are at home to South Coast visitors Portsmouth Grammar School.
Hertfordshire has some fantastic games, St Albans are a real force at the moment and host a good Reading Blue Coat side, Richard Hale have also been so impressive and are at home to St George’s Harpenden, while Warford Grammar host Hitchin Boys and Wellingborough welcome Ratcliffe College. Bishop’s Stortford College meanwhile host Essex’s Brentwood.
In Cambridge, The Perse are at home to Royal Hospital School, while The Leys head to Norfolk to take on Gresham’s and Wisbech Grammar host King’s Ely. Suffolk sees Framlingham College, who are looking good, host RGS Colchester and New Hall host Bishop’s Stortford High School. Essex, meanwhile, sees Coopers’ Coborn host St Olave’s Grammar School.
London has some cracking games, not least in Ealing where St Benedict’s host St George’s Weybridge, that should be a strong game. Tiffin are at home too, hosting Windsor Boys’, while Langley Park host Dartford Grammar and UCS host Aylesbury Grammar.
Wallington County Grammar and Reigate Grammar go head to head in a huge game, while Claremont Fan Court host Dunottar, and London Oratory travel over to Latymer Upper.
Kent, as always, has plenty going on, and Sevenoaks v Worth looks as though it might be among the pick of the much. Likewise Cranbrook hosting King’s Canterbury in a massive game. Elsewhere, Duke of York’s Royal Military School are on their travels as they head to King’s Rochester, while St Lawrence College visit Tonbridge’s 3rd XV. Sir Joseph Williamson’s meanwhile host Chislehurst & Sidcup Grammar, and there is a massive game between Gravesend Grammar and Maidstone Grammar.
Surrey has a couple of big games, RGS Guildford v Wimbledon College should be very tasty indeed with both looking to makes a statement, meanwhile Christ’s Hospital are in action away at Gordon’s, who will be sending out their non-ACE XV.
Towards the South Coast Lord Wandsworth College and Churcher’s College meet in a game that should provide a good guide for the season ahead, meanwhile Ryde host Embley and KES Southampton, who were outstanding at last week’s Shiplake College triangular, will welcome Canford.
In Wiltshire they is a fascinating game, Dauntsey’s v KES Bath, both have started the season in absolutely fantastic fashion and this head to head should be a real opportunity to gauge just how impressive those starts were, it should be a cracker. Over in Dorset Bryanston welcome Bishop Wordswort’’s, which should be a cracker.
Somerset has some top games, among them Wellington School hosting West Buckland and Monkton Combe hosting a Prior Park College side showing good early season form. Elsewhere, King’s Bruton host Clayesmore and Milton Abbey welcome Leweston, while Warminster and Wells Cathedral go head to head.
King’s College Taunton meanwhile host Gloucestershire’s Dean Close, which should be a fantastic game to watch. Meanwhile in Gloucestershire, Wycliffe College host Downside and Westonbirt travel to take on Cheltenham College’s 4th XV, while King’s Gloucester travel to Worcestershire to face RGS Worcester, another game that is not to be missed.
In Shropshire Malvern College welcome Bristol’s Collegiate, which should be a fantastic game between two ambitious sides. Meanwhile also travelling from around Bristol are a Clifton College XV, likely mainly 2nd XV given the 1st XV fixture v Llandovery on Saturday. They head to Wales as well to take on another Welsh giant in the form of Christ College Brecon, a massive game by any standards. Back in England, Exeter School welcome QEH for what should be a good contest.
Scotland, meanwhile, has some crackers and chief among them is George Watson’s College v Stewart’s Melville, a clash between two absolute titans of the Scottish game. Not too far away, Loretto host St Leonards, meanwhile in Glasgow, Hutcheson’s Grammar are the visitors to Glasgow High, while Glasgow Academy travel to St Aloysius’ College.
Saturday Fixtures
AKS Lytham v Altrincham Grammar
Austin Friars v Newcastle School for Boys
Bablake v Nottingham High
Barnard Castle v Woodhouse Grove
Bedford v Rugby
Berkhamsted v Warwick
Birkenhead v St Anselm’s College
Bishop’s Stortford College v Brentwood
Bloxham v King’s Worcester
Blundell’s v Millfield
Bristol Grammar v Kingswood (Cup Round 1)
Bromsgrove v Sir Thomas Rich’s
Bryanston v Bishop Wordsworth’s
Cheltenham College 4th XV v Westonbirt
Christ College v Clifton College 2nd XV
Claremont Fan Court v Dunottar
Coopers’ Coborn v St Olave’s Grammar
Cranbrook v King’s Canterbury
Cranleigh v Trinity
Dame Allan’s v Mount St Mary’s College
Dauntsey’s v KES Bath
Denstone College v Sedbergh
Eastbourne College v Sutton Valence
Epsom College v Radley College
Eton College v St Paul’s
Exeter v QEH
Felsted v Mill Hill
Framlingham College v RGS Colchester
George Watson’s College v Stewart’s Melville
Glasgow High v Hutcheson’s Grammar
Gordon’s XV v Christ’s Hospital
Gravesend Grammar v Maidstone Grammar
Gresham’s v The Leys
Harrow v Dulwich College
John Fisher v Skinners’
KES Southampton v Canford
KES Stratford v KES Birmingham
King’s Bruton v Clayesmore
King’s College, Taunton v Dean Close
King’s Macclesfield v QEGS Wakefield
King’s Rochester v Duke of York’s Royal Military
Langley Park v Dartford Grammar
Latymer Upper v London Oratory
Lord Wandsworth College v Churcher’s College
Loretto v St Leonards
Malvern College v Collegiate
Marlborough College v Sherborne
Merchant Taylors’ v Manchester Grammar
Milton Abbey v Leweston
Monkton Combe v Prior Park College
Monmouth v Cheltenham College
New Hall v Bishop’s Stortford High
Oundle v Uppingham
Pangbourne College v Portsmouth Grammar
Pocklington v Ampleforth College
Princethorpe College v Old Swinford Hospital
RGS Guildford v Wimbledon College
RGS High Wycombe v St John’s Leatherhead
RGS Newcastle v Lancaster RGS
RGS Worcester v King’s Gloucester
Richard Hale v St George’s Harpenden
Ryde v Embley
Sandbach v Wirral Grammar
Seaford College v Hurstpierpoint College
Sevenoaks v Worth
Shiplake College v The Oratory
Sir Joseph Williamson’s v Chislehurst & Sidcup Grammar
Solihull v Abingdon
St Albans v Reading Blue Coat
St Aloysius’ College v Glasgow Academy
St Ambrose College v Kirkham Grammar 2nd XV
St Benedict’s v St George’s Weybridge
St Columba’s College v St Edmund’s College (Vase Round 1)
Stamford v Haileybury
Stonar v Rendcomb College
Stonyhurst v St Peter’s, York
Stowe v Oakham
The Grange v Lymm High
The Perse v Royal Hospital School
Tiffin v Windsor Boys’
Tonbridge 3rd XV v St Lawrence College
Tonbridge v The Judd
Trent College v Loughborough Grammar
UCS v Aylesbury Grammar
Wallington County Grammar v Reigate Grammar
Warminster v Wells Cathedral
Watford Grammar v Hitchin Boys’
Wellingborough v Ratcliffe College
Wellington School v West Buckland
Wilmslow High v Stockport Grammar
Wisbech Grammar v King’s Ely
Wycliffe College v Downside