School 7s: Surrey Schools Senior 7s | Preview

The Surrey Schools Senior 7s takes place this Wednesday 19^th December at the Richmond Athletic Ground in South West London.

One of the most important tournaments in the build-up to the Howden Rosslyn Park National Schools 7s, the Surrey 7s has long been seen as one of the toughest tests on the calendar, attracting some of the best sides from around the country in an intense and long day of 7s.

It was at Surrey last year where Millfield gave the first major showing of their hand that a first Rosslyn Park title in a decade was coming when they took the 2024 Surrey Schools Senior 7s title, beating 2018 champions Cranleigh 28-12 in the final, and the second most successful team in this competition, behind Millfield, in the semi finals, Wellington College.

It is not just in the context of the nationals that this competition is special though, in its own right it is a highlight on the schools rugby calendar, one of the great days of action and with some of the greatest sides in schools rugby history as its champions.

This year sees a few changes, the tournament slims down from 48 boys teams to 32, and also sees the introduction of a Girls competition for the first time, this year with eight sides competing.

On the boys front arguably the key change is that every sides will play knockout rugby. With the introduction of the Howden Surrey U18 7s, with both an Established Schools and Emerging Schools competition, the need for a Surrey County specific Vase is no longer there.

That therefore means the ability to involved everyone, and therefore the tournament is structured with the 32 boys teams divided into eight pools of four teams each, from which the top two sides in each pool will head to the Surrey Schools Senior 7s Cup last 16 round, and the bottom two sides to the Surrey Schools Senior 7s Vase last 16 round.

U18 Boys Draw:

As champions, Millfield are drawn in Group A. Since the turn of the century they have won this superb competition six times and been in the final a further four, they are without doubt the kings of this tournament. Challenging them are a fellow South Western side, Devon’s Blundell’s School, another that returns from last year. Alongside those two, two other returning sides, the excellent Seaford College, and a St Benedict’s side that hosted their own Middlesex 7s only a few weeks ago.

Group B is headed by St Paul’s, last year’s Vase champions and the last side to win that Vase as a standalone Surrey County competition. They are joined by the side they beat in that final, Reed’s, keep an eye out therefore for when these two meet. It’s an tough group though, also in the pool are ACE side Bishop Wand, who won the Established Schools competition in that Howden Surrey 7s tournament a fortnight ago, beating Cranleigh in the final and surely elevating themselves to being among the favourites here. Completing the group though are another favourite, the Gordon’s U18 7s champions, Brighton College, champions here in 2022.

Another former champion, Hampton, reside in Group C, they won in 2017 and would love to do so again. They face a tough pool though, with the ever challenging Whitgift alongside them, who would love to claim this title for the first time this century. KCS Wimbledon also reside in Group C and will be eager to mount a strong challenge, likewise Campion, whose fifteen-a-side team have been utterly outstanding this season.

Over in Group D, last year’s semi finalists Eton College are in the mix. Alongside them the Harlequins ACE side, Gordon’s, who won the ACE League competition this year and will be a major force in this competition. Godalming College return again after competing last year and will add plenty, while Graveney are the only school added from last year’s competition and are also the only side involved that were playing in the Emerging Schools competition at the Howden Surrey U18 7s.

Group E features tournament heavyweights Cranleigh, who lost out in last year’s final to Millfield, and subsequently to Millfield again at this year’s Hampton 7s final, and in the Howden Surrey 7s final to Bishop Wand. The 2018 champions are bang in form, and will just be eager to get a major title under their belts after those two near misses. One of the favourites for sure. Alongside them are the 2017 Plate winners, Caterham, as well as an exciting Abingdon School side and a Rugby School team that will feel they have the pieces for a very good 7s campaign. An exciting group.

Epsom College are one of the greats of this competition after back to back titles in 2019 and 2020. They reside in Group F and after their Plate title at the Howden Surrey 7s, they will be feeling good. Alongside them in a challenging group though are Bath ACE side Beechen Cliff, finalists in 2017 and a very strong side. Berkhamsted have never won here but will feel that they have a team that has a fantastic chance as well, likewise St Joseph’s College, who have been looking strong.

A week on from winning back to back Continental Tyres U18 Schools Cup titles, Harrow head to the Richmond Athletic Ground to headline Group G at the Surrey Schools Senior 7s. Last year the timing was too close, but their ability to transition from 15s to 7s quickly was shown in their run to the final at Rosslyn Park. This year, with more time, look out for them here at Surrey, they could be real challengers. First they must navigate a tricky pool though, one that includes 2020 Vase finalists Dulwich College, who are always a strong side here. Look out also for Marlborough College, a strong side with real 7s pedigree, and a London Oratory side that has had a fantastic season.

The final pool is Group H and it features the second most successful side in this competition, last year’s semi finalists Wellington College. It is ten years since they won here, beating Millfield in an epic 2015 final, they will be itching to end that run on Wednesday and they will be among the favourites to do so. Alongside them are another 7s legend in the form of John Fisher, as well as 2019 and 2012 Vase winners RGS Guildford, who are looking good again this year. Likewise Hurstpierpoint College, who will really want to show what they can do from this group.

Overall it is an unbelievably competitive draw, with some fantastic sides right across every group. As ever, it is set to be one of the most competitive days of 7s on the calendar, and one of the biggest indicators of all as to who to look out for at Rosslyn Park.

U18 Girls Draw:

For the first time, the Surrey Schools Senior 7s introduces a Girls competition this year. It starts with eight teams, and will doubtless grow as the years go on – as the Boys’ did. The eight are divided into two groups of four, with all bar two also have a boys team in action, which should mean plenty of touchline support.

Group A sees Godalming College alongside Graveney, as they are in the boys competition, with Tiffin and Marlborough College completing an exciting group. Over in Group B are Epsom College, who are always strong in the girls game, along with Hurstpierpoint College, Campion, and Emanuel. The top two from each group head to the Cup semi finals, while the bottom two head to the Vase semi finals, and it should make for a fantastic first Girls event at the Surrey 7s.

Roll of Honour:

Cup Finals:

2024 Millfield 28-12 Cranleigh

2023 Cancelled

2022 Brighton College 24-21 Wellington College

2021 Cancelled

2020 Epsom College 14-5 Cranleigh

2019 Epsom College 26-15 Cranleigh

2018 Cranleigh 29-0 Harrow

2017 Hampton 22-10 Beechen Cliff

2016 Cancelled

2015 Wellington College 17-12 Millfield

2014 Millfield 40-7 St Joseph’s College

2013 Oaklands College 19-14 Wellington College

2012 SGS Filton College 21-14 Epsom College

2011 SGS Filton College 29-12 Wellington College

2010 Millfield 32-0 Tonbridge

2009 Wellington College 19-12 Millfield

2008 Collegiate 24-12 Epsom College

2007 St Benedict’s 31-12 Coleg Sir Gar

2006 Wellington College 29-10 Millfield

2005 Millfield 36-14 Wellington College

2004 Ivybridge 17-14 Millfield

2003 Millfield 40-7 Wellington College

2002 Wellington College 26-12 John Fisher

2001 Millfield 17-10 John Fisher

Cup Winners:

Millfield x6

Wellington College x4

Epsom College x2

Brighton College x1

SGS Filton College x2

Collegiate x1

Cranleigh x1

Hampton x1

Ivybridge x1

Oaklands College x1

St Benedict’s x1

Cup Runners Up

Wellington College x5

Millfield x4

Cranleigh x3

Epsom x2

John Fisher x2

Beechen Cliff x1

Coleg Sir Gar x1

Harrow x1

St Joseph’s x1

Tonbridge x1

Plate Finals

2024 St Paul’s 33-12 Reed’s

2023 Cancelled

2022 Hampton 31-5 Epsom College

2021 Cancelled

2020 Whitgift 22-17 Dulwich College

2019 RGS Guildford 36-5 Wimbledon College

2018 St John’s, Leatherhead 24-15 Caterham

2017 Caterham 29-12 John Fisher

2016 Cancelled

2015 Hampton 43-5 Tiffin

2014 Whitgift 22-15 Hampton

2013 St John’s, Leatherhead 26-7 John Fisher

2012 RGS Guildford 24-14 St John’s, Leatherhead

2011 Tiffin 28-26 RGS Guildford

2010 Richmond Upon Thames College 31-14 Reigate Grammar

2009 N/A

2008 St John’s, Leatherhead 46-0 Reed’s

2007 Cranleigh 45-7 Tiffin

2006 John Fisher 7-5 RGS Guildford

2005 Wimbledon College 19-13 RGS Guildford

Plate Winners

St John’s Leatherhead x3

Hampton x2

RGS Guildford x2

Whitgift x2

Caterham x1

Cranleigh x1

John Fisher x1

Richmond Upon Thames College x1

St Paul’s x1

Tiffin x1

Wimbledon College x1

Plate Runners Cup

RGS Guildford x3

John Fisher x2

Reed’s x2

Tiffin x2

Caterham x1

Dulwich College x1

Epsom College x1

Hampton x1

Reigate GS x 1

St John’s, Leatherhead x 1

Wimbledon College x1