The end of week three is when you can usually have a pretty accurate assessment of who the runners and riders are in the schools rugby season, and this weekend it is week three.
It is a slightly quieter weekend, though still packed with games, as a number of boarding schools have exeat/leave weekends and therefore played in midweek. That also contributes to a bumper Friday of games before a Saturday that sees some of the great fixtures take place, including our live game, Wellington College v Harrow (2.30pm KO), which you can watch through the NextGenXV YouTube channel or through the video below.
There are some fantastic derby matches this weekend, and some of the great historic names of the school game will meet including some of this week’s Ten to Watch. As the season progresses, be sure to get in touch on @nextgenxv across social media channels if your game has a special significance and should be on our Ten to Watch that week.
Ten to Watch
Bromsgrove v Berkhamsted – Saturday
This one is going to tell us a lot, Bromsgrove appear to be absolutely flying, scoring over 100 points across their last two games to add to an incredibly tense opening game against local rivals Warwick, which they won 6-3. It was like a game from a bygone era. Coincidentally, Berkhamsted’s only competitive game this season was against Warwick. It was a different sort of game but a close one too, with Berkhamsted winning 31-24. They also faced Wellington College and RGS High Wycombe in a pre-season triangular, beating RGS and losing to Wellington. So these are two good teams, and their respective results against Warwick suggest two well matched teams. Have Bromsgrove’s two games since given them an extra momentum? Only time will tell but it will be fascinating to watch it unfold on Saturday.
Dulwich College v Brighton College – Saturday
A classic fixture. For a good while this was one of the most competitive games on the school circuit, when Dulwich College were at the peak of their powers and Brighton College were a growing challenger. Since covid, this has been Brighton’s game and the south coast side are will likely be favourites for this one after a strong bounceback performance against Hampton following their narrow opening day defeat to Tonbridge. Dulwich had a tough defeat to Harrow last week, but that is a fate suffered by many in recent times, they will take confidence from their performance a few days prior, which saw them in dominant form in the Cup. A performance like that again, and there is a very tasty game in store on Saturday.
Hampton v RGS High Wycombe – Saturday
Another game that those familiar with the school game of the last ten years or so will know all too well, Hampton v RGS High Wycombe has had a tendency to be a bit of a classic, not least in the Cup. This year Hampton host and they host against an RGS High Wycombe side that is expected to be a big challenger this year after a L6th dominated side last year reached the finals of both the St Joseph’s Festival and the Seaford Southern 10s. RGS have demonstrated that already, beating The Oratory and St John’s Leatherhead, while in a pre-season triangular beating Wellington College, a significant achievement. Hampton meanwhile started with victory over KCS Wimbledon and were expecting to arrive at this off the back of a Cup game against Wimbledon College but were given a walkover, so they arrived rested after a tough defeat to Brighton College last time out. At home for the first time this season, they will want to make a statement.
Northampton School for Boys v King’s Macclesfield – Saturday
A great game between two sides that really push themselves and have impressively got themselves into a position where they consistently take on some of the very biggest names in the school game. NSB’s season took a while to begin, with a lot of pre-season including taking on Wellington College, but when it did start it was impressive beating one of the best sides in the country over the last couple of years, Ipswich. King’s Macclesfield meanwhile started well with their pre-season festival before back to back victories over Lancaster RGS and Altrincham Grammar. They lost out to QEGS Wakefield last week, who look good, so they will be keen to get right back on the horse. It’s a long away trip, but one that King’s Macc will relish. NSB, meanwhile, after that performance against Ipswich will be absolutely itching to get going.
QEGS Wakefield v St Peter’s, York – Saturday
QEGS Wakefield, as mentioned, are looking good early on this season with that victory over King’s Macclesfield. On Saturday they face another of the great names of schools rugby, St Peter’s York, the oldest school in the country. St Peter’s are in great form early on, with victories over RGS Newcastle, Hartlepool 6thform College, and Stonyhurst. Four in a row ahead of a Cup game and then Sedbergh would be huge for momentum. QEGS aren’t going to let that happen easily though, especially not at home. It promises to be an absolutely fantastic game.
Seaford College v Cranleigh – Saturday
Another massive game, and a case could be made for these being two of the form teams in the opening fortnight of the season. Seaford have faced St Joseph’s College and Hurstpierpoint College and secured victories in tough games. They will be feeling confident at the moment, Cranleigh will be a step up though. A promising pre-season saw them do well at Hartpury College before victories over Eton College and John Fisher in a triangular on the opening weekend. Then, on Saturday, they made their big statement with a dominant victory over Trinity. They are flying. As they are for Seaford though, this will be their biggest challenge so far. Saturday’s meeting is going to teach us an awful lot about these two teams.
Stonyhurst v Barnard Castle – Friday
The Ten to Watch kicks off on Friday, and one of those Friday games is a massive one between two of the most prestigious and historic names in all of schools rugby, Stonyhurst and Barnard Castle. At various points in schools rugby history these two have been the very best in the country, and it is a game that always evokes those memories. This year Stonyhurst have been competitive and exciting, all of their games have been thrillers, from a 1 point opening day loss to a Cup victory that saw 74 points scored between the sides, to last week’s 45-29 defeat to St Peter’s. Their games are never short of entertainment. Barnard Castle meanwhile began the year in dominant style with big victories over Hymers College and RGS Newcastle, last week though they slipped to a narrow defeat in a cracking game with Woodhouse Grove. They will be desperate to bounce back quickly. It should be entertaining on Saturday.
Uppingham v Stamford – Saturday
A bit of a derby game this one, these two are not far apart at all. Both are playing good rugby too, Uppingham lost their opener to a very good Denstone College side but bounced back with a dominant Cup display before a good victory at the home of one of their great rivals last week, Oundle. Now they host another great rival, Stamford, who are playing fantastically well, with victories over Stowe, King’s Grantham, and, in superb fashion last week, Haileybury. It should be a fantastic game of rugby. It will be a game with extra meaning for Stamford, the 1st XV are raising money for Brest Cancer Research Aid after the wife of their coach was diagnosed, and in a show of support will all be shaving their heads. To find out more and add you spot, please visit their Go Fund Me page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/fwaphx-support-for-breast-cancer
Wellington College v Harrow – LIVE on NextGenXV, 2.30pm KO – Saturday
Our live game this weekend sees two giants of the school game meeting on Saturday, Wellington College, one of the most fabled rugby schools on the planet, and Harrow, the best side in the country over the last two years. It is going to be a spectacular occasion and you can read all about it in our full preview of the game here: Wellington College v Harrow Preview. You will be able to watch it through the NextGenXV YouTube Channel and embedded below.
Woodhouse Grove v Oakham – Friday
The other Friday game in this week’s Ten to Watch is between two giants, Woodhouse Grove and Oakham. Woodhouse Grove are in strong form, tight victories over top quality opposition in Bishop Burton College and Barnard Castle sandwiching a dominant Cup display in Round 1. Oakham meanwhile are searching for a first victory after defeats to Rugby and Stowe, but knowing the quality of those sides they will be feeling well prepared and determined to turn in a first victory. Both of these two know a thing or two about big games, and Saturday is undoubtedly a massive game for both.
Friday 20th September
Friday is jam packed with big games, including a huge 125 years of rugby celebratory game for Eastbourne College, who take on City of London Freemen’s in what promises to be a fantastic occasion. Eastbourne have had some wonderful sides down the years and will be determined to do them justice, while City of London would love to spoil the party.
There is knockout rugby on Friday, including the first game of this year’s Continental Tyres Schools Plate, for those knocked out of the opening round of the Cup, Sandbach will host Cheadle Hulme, a fixture that demonstrates just how competitive the Plate is going to be this year. There is also Vase action, a late first round game as Ibstock Place welcome Saint Cecilia’s.
There will be plenty of eyes on the South West, where a Friday Triangular will take place at Mount Kelly, with Truro School travelling North and Wellington School heading South for what should be an incredibly competitive trio of games.
The South East is particularly busy on Friday, and one of the games of the day ought to be St Benedict’s v St Albans, one of the great names of schools rugby against a side that has risen spectacularly in recent years. It should be very tasty. As should Reigate Grammar School v Worth, Worth were utterly sublime last time out, and Reigate have been in cracking form too, expect a really strong game on Friday. Expect a big performance from Trinity too, last week was a tough one for them and they will want to bounce back against a good Langley Park side on Friday. Likewise Sevenoaks, who will want to show the very best of themselves when they take on a Hayes side that always seems to perform in the intensity of a Friday night game.
In Hampshire Lord Wandsworth College and St George’s Weybridge go head to head in a game that could produce some real quality, while in Berkshire there is a fantastic matchup as Reading Blue Coat and Bishop Wordsworth’s meet, two sides that have excellent records in the recent past and will love this Friday slot. Not too far away St Joseph’s College Reading host Reddam House in a massive game for both.
Further East, Bedford Modern and Samuel Whitbread Academy meet, these two have had some really good teams recently and it feels as though they are going from strength to strength, it should be a fantastic evening. Meanwhile Bishop’s Stortford College and King’s Ely are in action, a game that is likely to be packed out and should be incredibly competitive.
So too should a game further North as Mount St Mary’s College and Old Swinford Hospital meet. The last couple of years have seen both hit incredible heights, and historically they have achieved some magnificent things. Friday will be massive, and for the victor it will be a night that injects huge momentum into their season. One of the biggest games of the weekend. So too is Scotland’s Friday night encounter as two of the biggest names in Scottish schools rugby meet, Stewart’s Melville and Loretto. With Edinburgh also at home on Friday night in the URC, it is a big night of rugby in the city.
Friday Fixtures
Bedford Modern v Samuel Whitbread Academy
Bishop’s Stortford College v King’s Ely
Eastbourne College v City of London Freemen’s
Hayes v Sevenoaks
Ibstock Place v Saint Cecilia’s (Vase Round 1)
Lord Wandsworth College v St George’s Weybridge
Mount Kelly Triangular: Mount Kelly, Truro School, Wellington School
Mount St Mary’s College v Old Swinford Hospital
Reading Blue Coat v Bishop Wordsworth’s
Reigate Grammar v Worth
Sandbach v Cheadle Hulme (Plate Round 1)
St Benedict’s v St Albans
St Joseph’s College, Reading v Reddam House
Stewart’s Melville v Loretto
Trinity v Langley Park
Saturday 21st September
Saturday might have slightly fewer fixtures than usual, though only slightly fewer, but it is still a massive day of schools rugby with some of the most significant fixtures on the calendar taking place. Among the, Tonbridge v St Paul’s, Tonbridge have been excellent to start the season, especially with that result at Brighton, St Paul’s had a rough start against Epsom but were brilliant at Eton last week. Now comes another big test, can they back up the Eton performance, can Tonbridge continue their fine start, it should be brilliant.
It is one of a number of massive games in the South East, another being Whitgift’s trip to Hurstpierpoint College. Last year Hurstpierpoint stunned Whitgift in a result that was an early sign of what would prove a fantastic season for them. They look good again this year, but so do Whitgift, who showed incredible quality and character last week to earn a draw with Wellington College (see highlights below). Midweek saw another draw for Whitgift though, a surprise one in the Cup against Ravens Wood. They went through on try count, but will know they need a step up on Saturday. It should be a fantastic game of rugby.
Elsewhere, RGS Guildford and KCS Wimbledon College go head to head in a game that has always had something special about it. Two schools that have produced some great teams over the years, it should be a top game. KCS’ local rivals Wimbledon College also have a fantastic fixture this weekend, hosting John Fisher in a fixture between two of the greats of state school rugby. It’s a magnificent fixture and, as preparations ramp up for John Fisher’s state schools festival in October, one to keep a real eye on.
Over in Oxfordshire there is a huge derby game as Magdalen College School host St Edward’s Oxford. Last year the two met in an incredible occasion at Iffley Road that saw Teddies take victory, and last week Teddies returned there to face Merchant Taylors’ (see highlights below). It didn’t work out for Teddies there, but they will be determined to turn that around on Saturday. Magdalen College will be in no mood to let that happen though, in what is their biggest game of the season. A brilliant occasion await.
Another of the massive games in the Midlands on Saturday is Solihull v Stowe. Solihull haven’t quite started as they hoped but always possess plenty of depth and quality and will be determined for a big performance at home, it will need to be though because Stowe are looking good and playing some wonderful rugby at the moment.
There is also a massive Continental Tyres Schools Cup fixture on Saturday as Durham and Newcastle School for Boys meet in Round 1 in the North B section. Durham have a wonderful history in the competition but NSB will be no easy opponent, and things won’t be much easier in Round 2 for either, Cup legends Barnard Castle await. Also in the North East a great rival of these two is in action, RGS Newcastle, who host Yorkshire’s Grammar School at Leeds. Back in Yorkshire, there are some top games, Pocklington were impressive against Ampleforth last time out and will want to continue that at home to Scarborough College, while Giggleswick host AKS Lytham, and Stonyhurst’s 2nd XV have 1st XV opposition, with their 1st XV in Friday night action, they travel to take on Bradford Grammar. Further South Loughborough Grammar andBishop Vesey’s Grammar meet in game that should be a good one.
Up in Scotland, in form George Watson’s College are on the road in a massive game at Dollar Academy, while Strathallan, who are attending the Global Schools Challenge this December (contact tom@nextgenxv.com if your school is interested, there is a space left), will be hosting another giant in the form of Edinburgh Academy, which should be a superb game of rugby.
Back in England, and the north west in particular, St Ambrose College and Stockport Grammar meet in a game that ought to tell us plenty about each of them. Meanwhile Wirral Grammar travel to take on St Anselm’s College, and Scarisbrick Hall look to continue their good start when they travel to Ellesmere College, Birkenhead meanwhile host Merchant Taylors’.
Lancaster RGS host a Kirkham Grammar School 2nd XV that has been playing just about as well as many 1st XVs this season, while Manchester Grammar host Bolton. The Grange are at home, welcoming Haberdashers’ Adams up the road.
Back in Shropshire, Wrekin College and Malvern College meet, both will be excited about this one, while in Herefordshire Hereford Cathedral School are at home against Pate’s Grammar School, two good games.
Coventry and its surrounds will see King Henry VIII in action at home to KES Stratford, a competitive game for sure, while Bablake make the trip to Princehtorpe College. Meanwhile in Worcester there are two massive games against Gloucestershire opposition. King’s Worcester, who have started brilliantly, welcome a Sir Thomas Rich’s side looking for a bit of form. It should be hugely competitive. As should Dean Close’s trip to RGS Worcester, these two have had some fantastic games through the years.
Across the border in Wales, Christ College Brecon are the latest side to welcome Chilean tourists Craighouse, one of the great touring sides and a game that is sure to be a great occasion. Back in England, and Bristol, there are Welsh visitors in the form of Cathedral School, Llandaff. Meanwhile QEH welcome an very much in form Taunton School from Somerset. Staying in Somerset are Downside, there are at home to Westonbirt, while Prior Park College are hosting Clifton College’s 3rd XV.
Travelling East from Somerset are Kingswood, who have a huge game against Marlborough College, with both sides looking to put in a statement Saturday performance. Canford meanwhile host a KES Bath side that is absolutely flying, another performance like their first two, and this KES Bath sides starts looking like a side that absolutely has to sit up and take notice of.
Travelling from the area to the south coast are Dauntsey’s, who are in action at a KES Southampton side that has begun the season in superb fashion. Meanwhile Clayesmore are at Embley and will be looking for a good performance, and Churcher’s College welcome Portsmouth Grammar.
Up in Berkshire, Eton College are looking to bounce back from a tough opening couple of weeks, and they host a Bedford side that is also looking to rally after defeat to Bloxham in midweek. Meanwhile, Shiplake College travel to take on Eton’s neighbours, Windsor Boys’ School, and Aylesbury Grammar, whose game against Shiplake in a few weeks will be broadcast live, are in action at Pangbourne College.
Down in Surrey there is some interesting action as St John’s Leatherhead and Epsom College meet again. They met in the Cup at Epsom earlier, where Epsom were outstanding, now St John’s, on home soil, look to give them a much tougher run for their money. Reigate Grammar School are in action on Friday, but on Saturday their 2nd XV take on 1st XV opposition in the form of Royal Alexandra & Albert.
Reed’s host Haileybury, who make the trip down from Hertfordshire for what is usually a brilliant game of rugby. Both sides will be eager for a huge performance in this one. On the east of Surrey, Caterham host King’s Canterbury, two proud rugby schools, while in Sussex Christ’s Hospital host Dunottar, and in Kent Duke of York’s Royal Military School will play host to a good Cranbrook side.
Ravens Wood are a side to watch after that epic midweek draw with Whitgift, it may not have been enough to progress in the Cup, but it was a strong performance. Likewise The Judd’s last performance was excellent, they may not have beaten Tonbridge but they ran them extremely close. Their matchup on Saturday is fascinating. Not too far away, Eltham College host Maidstone Grammar, while Campion welcome Skinners’for one of the great all-state school fixtures in the country.
Tiffin have a tricky trip to Halliford but are looking very strong this season, their 3rd XV are also in 1st XV action as they travel to Claremont Fan Court. Meanwhile London Oratory have a tricky trip, heading to Emanuel. Latymer Upper will be at home against The Cedars.
North London and Hertfordshire looks exciting this weekend, Mill Hill have a huge game at home to St George’s Harpenden, two sides that have had some wonderful teams and look good again this year. QES Barnet are also in action, they travel to UCS, while the superb Richard Hale are at home against Coopers’ Coborn.
East of Coopers’ Coborn, Felsted and New Hall will meet, Felsted are looking for a big performance after a tricky start, but New Hall will be no easy visitor, they have been flying early on. In Cambridge, The Perse host Norwich, which is usually a really good game of rugby, meanwhile back in Norfolk Langley host Culford in a Norfolk v Suffolk clash, west of there, Wisbech Grammar School and Wellingborough go head to head.
Saturday Fixtures
Birkenhead v Merchant Taylors’
Bradford Grammar v Stonyhurst 2nd XV
Bristol Grammar v Cathedral School, Llandaff
Campion v Skinners’
Canford v KES Bath
Caterham v King’s Canterbury
Christ College v Craighouse, Chile
Christ’s Hospital v Dunottar
Churcher’s College v Portsmouth Grammar
Claremont Fan Court v Tiffin 3rd XV
Dollar Academy v George Watson’s College
Downside v Westonbirt
Duke of York’s Royal Military v Cranbrook
Durham v Newcastle School for Boys (Cup Round 1)
Ellesmere College v Scarisbrick Hall
Eltham College v Maidstone Grammar
Emanuel v London Oratory
Embley v Clayesmore
Eton College v Bedford
Felsted v New Hall
Giggleswick v AKS Lytham
Halliford v Tiffin
Hereford Cathedral v Pate’s Grammar
Hurstpierpoint College v Whitgift
KES Southampton v Dauntsey’s
King Henry VIII Coventry v KES Stratford
King’s Worcester v Sir Thomas Rich’s
Lancaster RGS v Kirkham Grammar 2nd XV
Langley v Culford
Latymer Upper v The Cedars
Loughorough Grammar v Bishop Vesey’s Grammar
Magdalen College v St Edward’s, Oxford
Manchester Grammar v Bolton
Marlborough College v Kingswood
Mill Hill v St George’s, Harpenden
Pangbourne College v Aylesbury Grammar
Pocklington v Scarborough College
Princethorpe College v Bablake
Prior Park College v Clifton College 3rd XV
QEH v Taunton
Ravens Wood v The Judd
Reed’s v Haileybury
Reigate Grammar 2nd XV v Royal Alexandra & Albert
RGS Guildford v KCS Wimbledon
RGS Newcastle v Grammar School at Leeds
RGS Worcester v Dean Close
Richard Hale v Coopers’ Coborn
Solihull v Stowe
St Ambrose College v Stockport Grammar
St Anselm’s College v Wirral Grammar
St John’s, Leatherhead v Epsom College
Strathallan v Edinburgh Academy
The Grange v Haberdashers’ Adams
The Perse v Norwich
Tonbridge v St Paul’s
UCS v QES Barnet
Wimbledon College v John Fisher
Windsor Boys’ v Shiplake College
Wisbech Grammar v Wellingborough
Wrekin College v Malvern College