Schools Rugby: 2025 St Joseph’s Festival U18 Draw | Saturday 18th – Sunday 19th October

The draw for the 2025 St Joseph’s Festival has been made as once again 16 sides get ready for one of the greatest events in all of schools rugby, from Friday 17^th October to Sunday 19^th.

Since 1986 St Joseph’s College have hosted this annual Festival, and year on year it his seen some of the very best play in all of schools rugby. It has seen some of the very best teams in schools rugby history as well, from countless Millfield sides, St Joseph’s themselves on three occasions, Wellington College in 2019, Blackrock College at the turn of the century, Bradford Grammar in the early days, SGS Filton College at the end of the 2000s, and plenty more.

Including last year a St Michael’s College side from Ireland that blew everyone at the tournament away with some stunning performances across the U18 competition winning that and making history by winning the first ever U15 tournament as well, a remarkable double.

The U15 Tournament is back again this year, taking place on Friday 17^th, the draw for that is yet to be released, but the U18 Tournament Draw has been released (below), taking place from Saturday 18^th October to Sunday 19^th.

As ever, the entire event will be broadcast LIVE here on NextGenRugby, with every single game available on the NextGenLive YouTube channel!

2025 St Joseph’s Festival U18 Draw

Pool 1: Berkhamsted, Kirkham Grammar, RGS High Wycombe, Strathallan

Pool 2: Cheltenham College, Hampton, Millfield, QEGS Wakefield

Pool 3: Denstone College, Seaford College, Wellington College, Whitchurch High

Pool 4: Brighton College, Hurstpierpoint College, Marlborough College, St Joseph’s College

Sadly the reigning champions, St Michael’s College, are not returning – though those that might have faced them are, surely, breathing a private sigh of relief. Such was the brilliance of the Irish giants.

Thirteen of last year’s sixteen entrants do return though, including Plate winners Millfield, Bowl winners Kirkham Grammar, and Shield winners Denstone College. Dropping out alongside St Michael’s are Devon’s Blundell’s and Croydon’s Trinity, and returning to the fray after a year’s absence are Gloucestershire’s Cheltenham College and Wales’ Whitchurch High School, while back after a two year absence are Wiltshire’s Marlborough College.

Eight of the field have triumphed here before, Millfield have a remarkable record 8 titles most recently 2022, while St Joseph’s College have won three times, most recently 2013, Kirkham Grammar were 2023 champions, while Wellington College won in 2019, Brighton College in 2017, and Hampton in 2015. QEGS Wakefield were champions in 1997, while RGS High Wycombe, who have reached the past two finals in a row, won back in 1999.

Pool 1

Last year’s finalists, RGS High Wycombe reside in a tough Pool 1 from which they will be a key contender, alongside the 2023 champions and last year’s Bowl winners, Kirkham Grammar School. Alongside them are Berkhamsted, who finished 10^th in their debut last season and will be aiming yet higher, and one of Scotland’s strongest sides, Strathallan, who had a best finish of 8^th last year. It’s an incredibly tough group to open things up and could go any way.

Pool 2 

Eight time champions Millfield lurk in Pool 2, eager to go one up from last year’s Plate success. Again it is an incredibly tricky group, with 2015 champions Hampton, who impressed in a 6^th place finish last year, in the mix alongside 1997 champions QEGS Wakefield, who are going to be hugely determined after having a tough outing last year despite arriving with so much promise. Completing the group are the returning Cheltenham College, who could well be a real contender this year.

Pool 3 

Another wide open pool, containing 2019 champions and last year’s third placed side, Wellington College – who could well be favourites this year at this early stage. Alongside them, last year’s Shield champions Denstone College, who will be pushing to compete higher up the honours, Seaford College, who lost out to Denstone in that Shield final and who are very likely to be major contenders from this pool, and Whitchurch High School, Shield winners in 2022 and a side that will bring plenty of quality.

Pool 4 

Pool 4, as ever, is the home of the hosts, St Joseph’s College, who impressed in a 7^th place finish last year but for whom a first title since 2013 would be the ultimate dream. The atmosphere around their games throughout the weekend will be unmissable viewing. It is going to be a challenging group though, alongside them are the 2017 champions Brighton College, reigning Howden Rosslyn Park National Schools 7s and Sedbergh Super 10s champions, and the only side last year to truly push St Michael’s. Hurstpierpoint College had a tough campaign last time, but have a rejuvenated side and will be competing higher this year for sure, while the returning Marlborough College are going to be highly competitive. Should be a cracking group.

St Joseph’s Festival U18 Roll of Honour:

De La Salle Trophy Winners

Plate Winners

Bowl Winners

Shield Winners