It’s Weekend 3 of the 2025/26 Schools Rugby season and the big fixtures keep rolling in right across the weekend.
After the first two weekends stories are starting to develop, themes are being debated, and some utterly terrific rugby is being played. This weekend some of those playing exceptional rugby go head-to-head, some of the biggest names in the school game meet, and plenty of sides look to make their mark while the season is still in this early stage.
The school season is short, something that was discussed on this week’s NextGenRugby Podcast with former England, Saracens, and Sale Sharks fly half Charlie Hodgson (available on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, and all your favourites podcast apps), where he also discussed his new project, www.rugby-buddy.com
A short season means momentum is key, plenty already have it, others that a missing it at present will be desperate to gain some in this third weekend of the season.
Another huge weekend awaits – including live coverage on Friday night of the Oxford derby at the historic Iffley Road venue at the University of Oxford as St Edward’s Oxford and Magdalen College School go head-to-head.
Ten to Watch
Cranleigh v Mill Hill
This is a massive game, Cranleigh have started the season like a train. They have scored a staggering 138 points in their opening two games and haven’t conceded a single one – and both were on the road. Now they play their first home game of the season, and it is going to be a step up. Mill Hill are the visitors, a side stacked full of young Saracens players. They struggled in their opener against an outstanding Northampton School for Boys side, but they will be stepping up a level from that, without doubt. It’s a massive clash and come the finish of it we will know an awful lot about the entire shape of the school season.
Harrow v Wellington College
Two of the very best in the country in this opening two weeks, and indeed over the past few seasons. Harrow have started brilliantly, with strong victories over Clifton College and Dulwich College suggesting that they are one of the very best about. Wellington College likewise though, a stunning victory over Berkhamsted was followed last week by a dogged victory over Whitgift in some horrible conditions, highlights of which can be seen below. One of them is likely to lose that unbeaten start to the season, the other is going to come away from this game believing that they are set up for one of the great seasons. That’s the level this one is at. It’s not to be missed.
Kingswood v Sherborne
It has been a brilliant start to the season for these two teams, Kingswood began with a victory on the road at Cheltenham, a result put into real context by Cheltenham’s brilliance last week, followed by an excellent victory over Bristol Grammar. Sherborne meanwhile started in the best possible way, a historic victory over Millfield, and they packed it up with a well-earned victory over Marlborough College. They should be two well matched sides, both arriving with momentum and confidence, it should make for a brilliant contest.
Marlborough College v Radley College
Radley College are widely expected to be excellent this year. They only played their first game last week and had to work for it against Epsom College, but against another side that is expected to be among the best this year, they got the job done. Now they travel to Marlborough College, on the face of it an easier game however through this Marlborough College side might have lost their opening two fixtures, they have really challenged Sir Thomas Rich’s and Sherborne, two sides full of confidence. So Radley may start as favourites, but the challenge presented by Marlborough will tell us plenty.
Oakham v Woodhouse Grove
Loughborough University plays host to this one on Friday night as these two meet again after an epic encounter last year that ended in a 15-15 draw. Both are looking pretty strong, too. Woodhouse Grove started with a pre-season victory over Bishop Burton before a really tight defeat to Barnard Castle last week. They bounced straight back with a terrific performance in the Cup on Wednesday. Oakham, meanwhile, don’t start their Cup campaign until next week. Their regular campaign started in some style though, a good victory over Rugby School. Last week they went down to Stowe, but Stowe are a very good team this year so there ought not to be too much downheartedness following that one. It sets up for a cracking game on Friday evening, a really special occasion that should be one of the experiences of the season for both.
Sedbergh v Clifton College
A rare Sunday game as Clifton College make the long trip north this year. It is a huge game, undoubtedly two of the very best around this year going head-to-head. Sedbergh have been utterly sensational to begin the season, they scored fifty against Whitgift, seventy against Denstone College, displays of clinical brilliance from the boys in brown. This will be their toughest test to date though, Clifton College lost out to Harrow in their opener, but they bounced back in stunning fashion last week, defeating one of the great sides in Welsh rugby, Llandovery College – putting fifty on the scoreboard against a side that had defeated Millfield the previous week. So it’s a huge game between two absolute giants, another game from which we will learn a huge amount about the shape of the season.
Sir Thomas Rich’s v King’s Worcester
Two teams that have started the season brilliantly, Sir Thomas Rich’s have beaten Marlborough College, St Peter’s Gloucester, and Bromsgrove in succession to start the season after a successful South African tour in the summer. Coming to visit though, a side that might pose the toughest test yet for them, King’s Worcester, who are also three from three. They roared into the start of the season, scoring 94 points without conceding one, but last week they were pushed hard by Bloxham. Might a tough test like that set them up well for what is likely to be an extremely tough game for both on Saturday? It’s going to be fascinating.
St Edward’s, Oxford v Magdalen College – LIVE
Friday night sees the famous Iffley Road ground at the University of Oxford plays host to this Oxford schools derby, one of the great rugby venues in the world and one of the most historic. Teddies have sold out their stand, MCS aren’t far off either, and the NextGenLive cameras will be there to take it all in. Teddies have started the season in fine form, beating Reading Blue Coat and Merchant Taylors’, two sides that have played in this showcase fixture in the past. It’s a first game of the season for Magdalen College, some way to start the season! It is all set to be a cracker – and for those going in person, take the time to check out the pavilion, practically a museum of rugby history.
Seaford College v Taunton School
Havant RFC plays host to this huge contest on Friday evening, two sides that could well be major forces over the coming season. Seaford College have started the season well, drawing with St Joseph’s College on the opening weekend at Ealing Trailfinders before last week heading to their great rivals Hurstpierpoint College and returning with a 47-22 victory. Taunton, meanwhile, have seen their rugby rise rapidly of late, contributing a number of players to Bristol Bears. They have had a strong start to the season too, victory over Collegiate was followed by a thrilling defeat to Millfield, 34-29, a game in which they led for great periods. It should be a cracker on Friday night, a great way to kick off the weekend and one that could well be crucial for both sides.
St Peter’s, York v QEGS Wakefield
A huge Yorkshire derby between two real giants of the region. St Peter’s have started the season in fantastic fashion, beating both RGS Newcastle and Stonyhurst by forty points, and only conceding five in return. Now they take on a third traditional giant of the game in the form of QEGS Wakefield, QEGS started the season in fine fashion last weekend, a 31-10 victory at home to King’s Macclesfield to set up for what ought to be a blockbuster fixture on Saturday. Not one to be missed, if you’re in the area, go!
Friday 19th September
Alongside the Friday games in our Ten to Watch, there are further outstanding games on Friday. Among them, Dame Allan’s v Barnard Castle, two sides that have started the season fantastically well, Barney winning that tight game against Woodhouse Grove and Dame Allan’s going up to Scotland, returning victorious, and backing up with a terrific performance last weekend. It should be a brilliant game.
As should Uppingham v St Joseph’s College, Uppingham have started the season well, a narrow defeat in pre season to Denstone College was followed by last week’s official opener, a victory over their great rivals Oundle. St Joseph’s College have faced a stern opponent in Seaford College, but drew 12-12 with them, suggesting that they are a strong outfit this year. It should be a great occasion on Friday.
There’s action in the South East too, and keep an eye on St John’s Leatherhead, who have started the season fantastically well. They have a tricky one on Friday though, taking on St George’s Weybridge, who will pose a real threat. It should be a great occasion. As should Trinity v Langley Park, Langley Park will be eyeing up a really competitive performance here against a Trinity side coming off the back of a tough start to the season – but that could make Trinity all the more competitive.
There is action in the South West on Friday too as Somerset’s Wellington School take on Cornwall’s Truro School, two sides that have a habit of producing some excellent performances and that, in the atmosphere of a Friday kick off, are likely to put on a real show. It should be a top game and a superb occasion.
Friday Fixtures
Dame Allan’s v Barnard Castle
St John’s Leatherhead v St George’s Weybridge
Trinity v Langley Park
Uppingham v St Joseph’s College
Wellington School v Truro School
Saturday 20th September
As ever, Saturday is stuffed full of brilliant fixtures, a number of which could easily have featured in this week’s Ten to Watch. Among them, KCS Wimbledon v RGS Guildford. KCS have been truly outstanding in the opening couple of weeks of the season with dominant displays against Hampton and Caterham. RGS Guildford ought to be their toughest test yet though, having lost in an epic to The Judd and bouncing back with a dominant display against KCS’ local rivals Wimbledon College. It should be a cracker, huge for RGS if they are successful, while for KCS another impressive display will have the schools rugby world on notice.
Elsewhere in London, KCS’ great rivals Wimbledon College are at John Fisher in one of the great state school rugby clashes. Expect a fierce contest there. Next door, Whitgift host Hurstpierpoint College in a massive game. Whitgift have had the most challenging start to the season that there is, Sedbergh followed by Wellington College. In both games they have had patches of great rugby, indeed against Wellington College they game could and possibly should have been much closer, but this is the one where we will perhaps get the truest sense of where they are. It will be a challenge though because Hurstpierpoint College look good this year, having pushed Brighton College close and played some nice stuff in defeat to Seaford. A game to pay attention to, for sure.
Elsewhere in South East London, Eltham College host a Reigate Grammar School side that is playing good rugby. This one should be a real tester for both. Meanwhile along the road Fidelis College are hostingFulham Boys, two sides that will be eager to push on and do well.
Travelling from South East London are Dulwich College, who have had a tough start to the season. They have played two of the best though in Cranleigh and Harrow, but face another challenging opponent in the form of a young Brighton College side. Brighton started off with a close victory over Hurstpierpoint College before going down to Campion last time out, they will be looking for a sharp bounce back on Saturday. It’s a big game for both sides, one that ought to say plenty about where each side sits this year.
Across in Kent there is plenty going on, as ever. One of the games of the day will be The Judd v Ravens Wood, two sides that gave been brilliant in the last couple of years. Along the road, Sevenoaks hostGravesend Grammar, which should be competitive, while Colfe’s travel for a big game against St Olave’s Grammar.
Duke of York’s Royal Military were outstanding last week and will need to be again this as they travel to Cranbrook. Meanwhile Skinners’, who are looking good, are in action at a strong Maidstone Grammar side. King’s Canterbury host Caterham, which should be a brilliant encounter, while close to London Dartford Grammar School and Chiselhurst & Sidcup go head-to-head.
Travelling from Kent to London are Tonbridge, who have started the season in good form. They head for a real schoolboy rugby classic at St Paul’s, who will be viewing this as a real test of where they are at this year. It should be a top game of rugby. Also in South West London, Tiffin have two sides in 1st XV action, their 1stXV host Halliford, who are always worth watching, while the 2nd XV are welcoming Claremont Fan Court, a busy day at Tiffin. London Oratory and Emanuel go head to head, a key test for both sides, while at Epsom College the 2nd XV welcome Lord Wandsworth College’s 1st XV, who will be keen to make their mark.
Further into Surrey, Gordon’s welcome Seaford College’s 2nd XV, and that should prove to be a really close encounter. Travelling out of Surrey are Reed’s, who are going to be eager for a big performance as they head to Churcher’s College, that should a top game. Ryde meanwhile welcome St Joseph’s College down from Reading in Berkshire.
In Berkshire, Pangbourne College and Aylesbury Grammar School go head to head in what should prove a close contest. Back in London, Merchant Taylors’ have a huge home game against St George’s Harpenden, which ought to be a really compelling game with both sides looking good, while UCS host QES Barnet, another that ought to be a really good game of school rugby.
Hertfordshire sees some fantastic games this weekend. Chief among them, Berkhamsted hosting Haileybury, both have won one and lost one this season, Berkhamsted had a tough outing against Wellington College first up but bounced right back with victory over Warwick last week – making our Top 5 Teams of the Weekend in the process. Haileybury meanwhile began with a really hard earned victory over Felsted before a defeat to a very good Stamford side last time out. This one should be a big game for both, and therefore a great afternoon of rugby. Over in St Albans there is another great game as they welcome Ealing’s St Benedict’s. These two play some excellent rugby and should be very well matched on Saturday, certainly that is the expectation. St Benedict’s have started the year well, will that continue on Saturday? Wellingborough,meanwhile, welcome across KES Stratford in a vaguely East Midlands v West Midlands fixture, which should make for compelling viewing.
Suffolk this week has a massive game as Ipswich welcome Campion, and early evidence of the season to date suggests that it should be a very good contest. Ipswich are looking good, they were very strong against Gresham’s and though they went down to NSB they should still feel confident, knowing they posed plenty of questions to one of the best in the country. Campion are playing similarly well though, having beaten Brighton College last weekend in a massive result for the school, they will arrive confident, and it should make for some contest.
In Essex, New Hall welcome Felsted, two sides that when on their game are excellent. Felsted in particular will be looking to really kick on. Along the road, Coopers’ Coborn welcome Hertfordshire’s Richard Hale, who are looking to quickly respond to defeat last time out. Also on the road from Hertfordshire are Bishop’s Stortford College, they head to King’s Ely, who seem to be playing some excellent rugby so far this year. Up in Norwich, Norwich School host The Perse, two sides that if they get some momentum going could be big players in the region this season.
Over in Lincolnshire, Stamford host Bedford Modern, two sides that should arrive with huge confidence after some terrific displays last time out. Back down in Buckinghamshire, another on the Stamford circuit has started in fantastic fashion, Stowe. They are playing some lovely rugby and on Saturday they will be keen to again when they host Solihull, for whom this will be their biggest challenge so far. Oxfordshire has some fantastic game too, not least Bloxham hosting Abingdon, both sides have really started this season playing some excellent rugby and have challenged teams that have been making headlines – Saturday should be a monumental contest, one that really could swing either way. Shiplake College meanwhile look to build when they welcome Windsor Boys’, who will be feeling pretty good about their rugby. It’s another that should be a good game.
Further West, Bishop Vesey’s Grammar welcome Loughborough Grammar, two sides that are going to be keen to make a mark. Not too far away, Bablake and Princethorpe Grammar meet and again both are looking to inject real momentum into their seasons. Shropshire, meanwhile, sees Oswestry welcome Old Swinford Hospital, who were in fine form against Princethorpe last time out.
In Worcestershire, Malvern College look to build their momentum as they host Wrekin College, for whom this is also a massive game. Travelling from Worcestershire are Bromsgrove, they head into Wales to take on Monmouth, with both sides licking wounds to greater or lesser extents. It feel like a huge game for both, victory and they is something significant to build on, defeat and the confidence will need building. A massive game, one that’s not to be missed. Also heading to Wales are Bristol Grammar School, they head to Cathedral School Llandaff, which should be a brilliant game.
Back in Bristol, QEH look to bounce back from defeat to Collegiate last week when they host the ever impressive Exeter School from Devon, while over in Devon Blundell’s welcome King’s College Taunton of Somerset. Blundell’s lost out to Millfield last week, but ought to feel confident after a good performance. King’s rivals Taunton School are playing Seaford College, as mentioned, but their 2nd XV are in Gloucestershire to take on the Westonbirt 1st XV. Also in Gloucestershire, Pate’s Grammar School host Hereford Cathedral, a definite game to watch, both have the potential for good seasons.
Actually in Somerset are Downside, they host Prior Park College in a game that has always had a real derby edge to it and should do again this year. Both would absolutely love to put in a top end performance. In Bath, KES Bath look to continue this wonderful run of form that stretches over a year now as they welcome Dorset’s Canford, but Canford will be a stiff test for them, a game to watch no doubt. Along in Wiltshire, Dauntsey’s, who lost out to KES Bath last week, welcome KES Southampton for what should be a cracking game.
Jumping up to Scotland, there is a huge amount of excitement about High School of Dundee at the moment, and not just their football ticket allocation, they are playing some fantastic rugby. Saturday will be a big test though as they head to one of the traditional giants in the form of Edinburgh Academy, a massive game. Meanwhile Glenalmond College and Lindisfarne College meet in what should be a tight one, while Marr College host St Aloysius’ College, one to watch. There’s a key derby too as Glasgow Academy welcome Glasgow High School.
Back in England and the North East, Durham are at home against Newcastle School for Boys, two sides that have been excellent of late and doubtless will be again in what should be a fantastic game of rugby. Austin Friars are also in action, welcoming St Bees with both sides eyeing up a big performance.
Down in Yorkshire, Scarborough College have had a big start to the season, on Saturday they have a big game too, hosting a Pocklington side that have shown some really good moments at the start of the season. Crossing from the white rose to the red rose are Bradford Grammar School, they are at Stonyhurst, a game that was once one of the games of the season. Through the 80s and 90s these were among the very best in the business, and at times since they have had some top teams too. Make no mistake, rugby history sits on both sides of this one.
Elsewhere in Lancashire, one of those that are expected to be among the best in the business this year, Kirkham Grammar School. They welcome Lancaster RGS, another that has been brilliant over the years. It’s a big game, LRGS have a job on their hands but it marks the start of a busy period for Kirkham and they will want to make their mark. Elsewhere in the country, Scarisbrick Hall are in action, welcoming Ellesmere College, two sides that were excellent last year and will be well worth paying attention to this.
In Greater Manchester, a fantastic fixture at Stockport Grammar are they welcome Lymm High School, always one to watch, meanwhile Manchester Grammar make the trip to take on Bolton. Over in Cheshire, Cheadle Hulme are the visitors at Sandbach.
On the Wirral, another all-Wirral fixtures as Wirral Grammar School host St Anselm’s College, both are looking good this season and St Anselm’s were in fine form in their derby last week. On the other side of that derby were Birkenhead, who this week head across the Mersey to take on Merchant Taylors’, Crosby, which should be another cracking contest on a weekend of fantastic fixtures.
Saturday Fixtures
Austin Friars v St Bees
Bablake v Princethorpe College
Berkhamsted v Haileybury
Bishop Vesey’s GS v Loughborough GS
Bloxham v Abingdon
Blundell’s v King’s College, Taunton
Bolton v Manchester GS
Brighton College v Dulwich College
Cathedral School, Llandaff v Bristol GS
Churcher’s College v Reed’s
Coopers’ Coborn v Richard Hale
Cranbrook v Duke of York’s RMS
Cranleigh v Mill Hill
Dartford GS v Chislehurst & Sidcup GS
Dauntsey’s v KES Southampton
Downside v Prior Park College
Durham v Newcastle School for Boys
Edinburgh Academy v Dundee HS
Eltham College v Reigate GS
Epsom College 2nd XV v Lord Wandsworth College
Fidelis College v Fulham Boys’
Glasgow Academy v Glasgow HS
Glenalmond College v Lindisfarne College
Gordon’s v Seaford College 2nd XV
Ipswich v Campion
John Fisher v Wimbledon College
KCS Wimbledon v RGS Guildford
KES Bath v Canford
King’s Canterbury v Caterham
King’s Ely v Bishop’s Stortford College
King’s Macclesfield v Northampton School for Boys
Kingswood v Sherborne
Kirkham GS v Lancaster RGS
London Oratory v Emanuel
Maidstone GS v Skinners’
Malvern College v Wrekin College
Marr College v St Aloysius’ College
Merchant Taylors’ v St George’s Harpenden
Merchant Taylors’, Crosby v Birkenhead
Monmouth v Bromsgrove
New Hall v Felsted
Norwich v The Perse
Oswestry v Old Swinford Hospital
Pangbourne College v Aylesbury GS
Pate’s GS v Hereford Cathedral
QEH v Exeter
Ryde v St Joseph’s College, Reading
Sandbach v Cheadle Hulme
Scarborough College v Pocklington
Scarisbrick Hall v Ellesmere College
Sevenoaks v Gravesend GS
Shiplake College v Windsor Boys’
Sir Thomas Rich’s v King’s Worcester
St Albans v St Benedict’s
St Olave’s GS v Colfe’s
St Paul’s v Tonbridge
St Peter’s, York v QEGS Wakefield
Stamford v Bedford Modern
Stockport GS v Lymm HS
Stonyhurst v Bradford GS
Stowe v Solihull
The Judd v Ravens Wood
Tiffin 2nd XV v Claremont Fan Court
Tiffin v Halliford
UCS v QES Barnet
Wellingborough v KES Stratford
Westonbirt v Taunton 2nd XV
Whitgift v Hurstpierpoint College
Wirral GS v St Anselm’s College
