This Thursday Cheltenham College and Sir Thomas Rich’s return to Gloucester’s Kingsholm Stadium for their annual big game, LIVE here on NextGenXV in a 7.30pm kick off.
Throughout the game and in the build up money is being raised for Gloucestershire Young Carers. Every years the pupils select a charity to raise money for, and the 30 year old charity is the one they have selected this year – a QR code will be available on screen to aid donations through the game. Gloucestershire Young Carers was established 30 years ago by two young carers. Young carers are ‘children from the age of eight years old and young people up to 24 years old who provide regular or ongoing care and/or emotional support to a family member who is physically or mentally ill, disabled or misuses substances’. Now, Gloucestershire Young Carers support services to over 1,000 young carers per year. They provide assessment and planning, respite support groups, day trips and activities, health and well-being courses and specialised support groups for young people.
The game kicks off at 7.30pm, with coverage starting slightly before, and it will be available on the NextGenXV YouTube Channel and through the embedded video below.
This will be the sixth time that these two have met at the famous Kingsholm Stadium, beginning back in 2018. Cheltenham College won the first trio of games, tight affairs in 2018, 2019, and 2021. Sir Thomas Rich’s have comeback in the past two though, winning a tight one themselves in dramatic circumstances in 2022 before a superb 32-14 display in this game last year.
There is a lot to suggest that we are going to be in for another nailbiter this year, not least the fact that through the age-groups these two have been locked pretty close, the current U6th saw Cheltenham win by 7 as U16s and by 8 as U15s, while the current L6th saw a Cheltenham College win as U16s but a Sir Thomas Rich’s win as U15s, it’s very close. Plus both U6th year groups had exceptionally good seasons overall as U16s and U15s. These are two very solid and well-matched groups of players.
This year both have had similar 1st XV season, with roughly 50/50 win/loss records. Context is everything though, Cheltenham have played some of the best around and pushed them unbelievably hard, especially since half term. Their first game of this second half of term was a fantastic effort at Millfield, just coming up shy 24-20, they then backed it up this weekend gone with a thrilling 27-24 victory over Sherborne – Cheltenham are in high spirits.
So too are Sir Thomas Rich’s, and for them to context is everything. They had a brutally tough start to the season but have since settled into a pattern where they have won three of their last four, their only defeat in that run being to Clifton College, arguably the best in the country.
So both sides arrive in good spirits and with plenty of excitement for what should be a fantastic game of rugby. More important though, it should be one of the experiences of a lifetime for all involved. These two have had some magnificent players pass through their ranks, players that have gone to grace the Gallagher Premiership and even England, but even for those this night with their mates at one of the great venues in world rugby is one of the most special memories of all.
That is what it is all about a rugby experience and memory that will last a lifetime. Thousands will pack out Kingsholm, thousands more will be tuning in to watch. It is one of the great schools rugby nights.
Cheltenham College v Sir Thomas Rich’s: Thursday 21st Nov, 7.30pm | LIVE on NextGenXV
