It has been a busy midweek of schools action and another exciting weekend lies ahead, the first cold one of the season for most – what impact might that have on the styles of play and the outcomes?
A number of the big independent schools have the weekend off, packing fixtures into midweek as many have an exeat/leave weekend. What that makes for is a busier Friday than usual too, and some great fixtures on Friday among them.
Alongside the U18 action on Friday, NextGenLive have a special occasion LIVE on Friday evening at Brighton Rugby Club, as they host the first of 3 U12 Friday Night Lights competitions, welcoming sides from the local area. All live on the NextGenLive YouTube Channel.
On Saturday, though there are not as many school 1st XV fixtures as usual, there are still plenty, and some very special ones at that including another Anglo-Irish fixture, and those games between English and Irish schools have really lit up the season this year.
A very exciting weekend awaits!
Ten to Watch
It’s a fantastic Ten to Watch as well, with fixtures over Friday and Saturday, including cross-border clashes and a huge Cup Semi Final!
Friday
Durham v Barnard Castle
Two big beasts from the North East, who have in fact already met this season. That came in early October when Barnard Castle hosted in the Continental Tyres U18 Schools Cup. Durham took a narrow victory that day 13-6, so perhaps start as the narrow favourites but Barnard Castle are in good form and will be out for revenge. This time the occasion is even bigger, too, with Darlington Mowden Park the host venue. It’s going to be an epic day, a huge match, and a magnificent occasion.
Ipswich v Cranleigh
Another monumental game on Friday, between two of the season’s finest. Ipswich have only been bettered by NSB, Sedbergh, and Campion this season, three of the best around and they have also got a win vs Campion too, likewise Cranleigh, who have only seen Mill Hill, and Epsom College get the edge on them. So these are two excellent sides, and on Friday night they play at an excellent venue too, with Ealing Trailfinders hosting them. It will be a magnificent occasion, and an awesome game of rugby – for the winner it could signify the momentum to close out this season in style.
Saturday
Blackrock College v Clifton College
Perhaps the most exciting game of the weekend, and it was one of the most exciting of last season when a last gasp Blackrock College penalty saw them halt a Clifton College comeback to win 27-26, making it 3 from 3 for the Irish side since these two started playing in 2022. Clifton now head to Dublin to try and get their own back, but it’s a tall order, so far this season the English return against Irish schools is three losses and one draw, Harrow drawing against Clongowes Wood. Kirkham Grammar struggled against Terenure College and Methodist College, while Sedbergh lost a heartbreaker to Blackrock College, 29-24. Irish schools rugby is absolutely rocking. Do Clifton College have a chance? Of course, last year shows that, as does their victory a fortnight ago against the St Joseph’s Festival champions Wellington College. They will have to be at their best though.
Brighton College v St Joseph’s College
Another fantastic fixture this. Brighton College showed their quality last weekend in pushing a top class Epsom College side right to the death, but St Joseph’s have shown quality too, not least at their Festival, where they put in their best performance since they won it in 2013. These two actually met at the Festival, though it was a bit of a dead rubber, with Brighton rotating players en route to a 26-0 defeat after already qualifying. It did provide one of the great moments of the tournament though when Brighton College responded to the St Joseph’s College walk-on with a V formation, headed by a Pelican mascot. It was a stirring moment, one no doubt both will have forefront heading into this. Expect a close game, these are two excellent sides.
Bromsgrove v Millfield
Bromsgrove have been a part of the pack this season where on any given day any side can win, it is what has made this one of the most exciting seasons in recent memory. They were within 7 points of NSB in the Cup last week, a result that would have sent shockwaves such has NSB’s quality been. But that is the level Bromsgrove can get to and if they get there, they will trouble Millfield, who drew with NSB earlier in the season. It has been a funny old season for Millfield, when all their guns are firing they are near unstoppable as victories over Clifton College and Wellington College demonstrate, and their run to the St Joseph’s Festival final, when they rotate the pack closes up to them. It makes Saturday’s game fascinating, at their best Millfield should be favourites, but if they open the door, Bromsgrove are capable of walking through.
Denstone College v Stamford
An interesting fixture this between two sides that probably feel their results are not completely indicative of the quality that they possess. Both are excellent side, packed with top class players and have demonstrated as such at various points in time this season. Both also arrive frustrated, after having their fixtures cancelled last weekend. Each set of players is going to be ready to burst ahead of this one, so expect an absolutely titanic tussle. It has been an on and off fixture, so it’s a slightly misleading statistic, but Stamford haven’t won this one since 2015. How they would love to land a punch this time around.
Dulwich College v Berkhamsted
With two wins from three, Dulwich are all of a sudden looking like a form side heading into this one. Berkhamsted are a mighty challenge though, they have been outstanding this season at time and were impressive in their last outing against St Joseph’s College. However after a week off after their game on Saturday was cancelled, they will need to get up to speed quickly as Dulwich are going to be bristling with confidence after their victory over Tonbridge on Saturday. It is a really interesting fixture, one that should provide plenty of entertainment.
King’s Worcester v Old Swinford Hospital
A final home game of the season for King’s Worcester, and their final game of the season that won’t be at Sixways Stadium. Their next two, vs Dean Close and v RGS Worcester (which is LIVE on NextGenLive) are both at the home of Worcester Warriors. So their players will want to make this one to remember after what has been, to date, a season to remember. However Old Swinford Hospital have been pretty handy as well, taking on some big names and earning victory, notably in the Cup, where Rugby School and Warwick School have been vanquished (at the time of writing they are yet to play NSB). A fantastic game awaits us on Satuday!
Merchiston Castle v George Watson’s College (Cup Semi Final)
The game with the most riding on it this weekend. Last weekend Strathallan knocked out reigning champions Stewart’s Melville to reach the Scottish Cup Final, now arguably the biggest two names in Scottish Schools Rugby meet to join them at Murrayfield. Merchiston Castle are unbeaten this season, including a 22-7 victory over George Watson’s three weeks ago, prior to that George Watson’s had been unbeaten. The feeling is that these are the two biggest beasts in town this year. How might that game 3 weeks ago impact this one? Will Merchiston’s confidence from it see them to the final, or will George Watson’s thirst for revenge help them to the national stadium? You sense that, either way, it will be close.
Northampton School for Boys v Whitgift
By the time you read this article the fate of these two in the Continental Tyres U18 Schools Cup will be known, NSB facing Old Swinford Hospital and Whitgift facing Skinners’. How those games go could certainly have an impact here as both sides place such value on the Cup. Regardless, this is a huge game. These are two top quality outfits. NSB went through the first half of the season unbeaten, defeats against Sedbergh and Warwick have come since, but you sense there was an eye on the Cup around too. Whitgift meanwhile haven’t lost since the second week of the season, they are in razor sharp form. The visitors have never lost to NSB and are an outstanding side, but they have never faced an NSB side as good as this, a side rightly considered one of the best in the country. A spectacular game awaits us at 11am this Saturday.
Friday 21st November
Friday, as mentioned, is stacked. There are two crucial knockout games among the fixtures as well, Regional Finals in the Continental Tyres Schools Vase and Bowl. In the Vase it’s South West A, where Poole Grammar welcome Plymouth College for a place in the quarter finals. Meanwhile over in the Bowl it is South West B, where Pangbourne College take on Embley for a chance to move into that national quarter final stage.
Outside of the knockouts there are some fantastic games too, not least at Havant RFC, where Seaford College, after a stunning performance last week, take on Henley College in a huge game.
Over in Surrey, Gordon’s are up against Latymer Upper after that excellent victory over The Oratory last week, the Oratory’s namesakes, London Oratory, are in action on Friday as well, taking on Aylesbury Grammar School.
In Kent Simon Langton host Cranbrook, two old rivals, while over in Reading Churcher’s College travel to take on Reading Blue Coat, expect a cracking game there. In Northamptonshire, meanwhile,Wellingborough, who have been excellent at times this year, welcome Leicester Grammar under the lights.
In the North West, Lymm High School welcome Calday Grange Grammar School to Lymm RFC for what should be a brilliant Friday night spectacle, preceeded by the U12s as well, which should make for a great night. Meanwhile there is a spectacular game in Wales with Ystrad Mynach hosting Monmouth v Llandovery College, two genuine giants not just of Welsh rugby but of schools rugby as a whole, it should be a spectacular evening, kicking off at 6pm.
Friday Fixtures
Gordon’s v Latymer Upper
London Oratory v Aylesbury GS
Lymm HS v Calday Grange GS
Monmouth v Llandovery College
Pangbourne College v Embley (Bowl, South West B)
Poole GS v Plymouth College (Vase, South West A)
Reading Blue Coat v Churcher’s College
Seaford College v Henley College
Simon Langton GS v Cranbrook
Wellingborough v Leicester GS
Saturday 22nd November
While it might be a quieter Saturday than usual in many parts of the country, that’s far from the case in the North West of England, where it is a stacked Saturday!
In Lancashire, AKS Lytham welcome Steve Borthwick’s old school, Hutton Grammar, can they take inspiration from Borthwick’s side’s performance against the All Blacks? The Manchester area meanwhile sees Altrincham Grammar School host Stockpot Grammar, while Manchester Grammar welcome The Grange.
Cheshire meanwhile sees Cheadle Hulme welcome a strong Lancaster RGS side, while Sandbach host the superb Ellesmere College. Over on Merseyside St Mary’s College are at home against the impressive Scarisbrick Hall, meanwhile Merchant Taylors’ host Audenshaw.
Liverpool College welcome Wirral Grammar School, who are playing well, while over on the Wirral, Birkenhead host Bolton, and there is a massive clash as St Anselm’s College host an in form Stonyhurst side.
Down in Coventry, Princethorpe College host KES Birmingham, while further south KES Stratford are at home against Pate’s Grammar. Meanwhile in Leicestershire Loughborough Grammar welcome a Bablake side that is playing well, and Ratcliffe College, no slouches this year, host Nottingham High School.
Up the A1 into Yorkshire, there are three big games as Hill House welcome Birkdale, Hymers College take on a Woodhouse Grove side with their tails up, and Bradford Grammar welcome down RGS Newcastle form the north east, two sides that should be fairly well matched.
Across the border from RGS into Scotland, Stewart’s Melville look to bounce back from last week’s Cup semi final defeat with a home game against Dollar Academy, where victory would keep them in touch in the Schools and Clubs league. Elsewhere Edinburgh Academy take on Glasgow High School, Loretto host North Berwick High, and in form Robert Gordon’s College host Linlithgow Academy.
From the North East of Scotland to the South West of England where, in Devon, Plymouth College are currently scheduled to take on Exeter School, though that could be shifted given Plymouth have a knockout tie on Friday. Exeter are also in 1st XV action at home to Shebbear College, with their 2nd XV taking on the visitors.
Over in Bristol, a huge cross-border clash at the excellent Collegiate, they host Wales’ Cathedral School, Llandaff, in what should be a fantastic occasion. Meanwhile Clifton High School host Rendcomb College.
Over in Wiltshire, Bishop Wordsworth’s host KES Southampton, which should be a really fantastic game of rugby. Meanwhile in Surrey Dunottar take on a Skinners’ 2nd XV that is going to be gunning for one of their biggest performances of the season. St George’s Weybridge are also playing some great rugby of late, they take on London’s Tiffin.
In South West London, one of the pace-setters of the area this year, KCS Wimbledon, are in action at home against Emanuel. Meanwhile local rivals Wimbledon College are also at home, hosting Wallington County Grammar. Out in Ealing, St Benedict’s, who have been doing so well this year, welcome John Fisher across London, while over in Esher Claremont Fan Court host City of London Freemen’s. Fulham Boys School meanwhile host Isleworth & Syon, which should be a good game. In South East London, meanwhile, Langley Park host Ravens Wood.
Out in Kent, a huge game as Tonbridge look to bounce back from defeat to Dulwich at home against another London giant, St Paul’s, it is always a fantastic fixture, and should be again on Saturday. Elsewhere the fantastic Maidstone Grammar are at home against Eltham College, while the equally brilliant The Judd make the trip to Sir Joseph Williamson’s. Skinners’ have a game on the card too, hosting Chislehurst & Sidcup, it’s a high quality Kent set of fixtures.
Back up in East London, Campion have been astonishing this season, they take on Hertfordshire’s St George’s Harpenden. Meanwhile in Essex Brentwood host Gravesend Grammar and RGS Colchester welcome Ipswich’s 2nd XV.
Over in Cambridgeshire Wisbech Grammar host Suffolk’s Culford. In Hertfordshire Bishop’s Stortford High School welcome St Albans, while the excellent Richard Hale welcome Watford Grammar. Meanwhile Richard Hale’s great rivals, St Edmund’s College, are in North London to take on UCS.
North London has one of the games of the day as the brilliant Harrow welcome Trinity. Who could forget their titanic battle a couple of years ago in the Cup. Harrow have risen up and up since, and will want a big performance. As will Merchant Taylors’, who test themselves at home against a good Reed’s side from Surrey on Saturday.
Also travelling from Surrey are RGS Guildford, who were so brilliant last week in becoming the first side to defeat Skinners’. They have a tough task on their hands though, travelling to Oxford to take on Abingdon, who were unbeaten before half term and have barely taken their foot off the gas this half term, bouncing back from defeat to the superb Radley with a top performance against Eton College last time out. Travelling out of Oxford are St Edward’s Oxford, who have also been fantastic this season, they head to Bedford to take on Bedford Modern, who have provided a serious test for sides throughout most of this season.
Saturday Fixtures
Abingdon v RGS Guildford
AKS Lytham v Hutton GS
Altrincham GS v Stockport GS
Bedford Modern v St Edward’s, Oxford
Birkenhead v Bolton
Bishop’s Stortford HS v St Albans
Bishop Wordsworth’s v KES Southampton
Bradford GS v RGS Newcastle
Brentwood v Gravesend GS
Campion v St George’s, Harpenden
Cheadle Hulme v Lancaster RGS
Claremont Fan Court v City of London Freemen’s
Clifton HS v Rendcomb College
Collegiate v Cathedral School, Llandaff
Dunottar v Skinners’ 2nd XV
Edinburgh Academy v Glasgow HS
Exeter 2nd XV v Shebbear College
Fulham Boys v Isleworth & Syon
Harrow v Trinity
Hill House v Birkdale
Hymers College v Woodhouse Grove
KCS Wimbledon v Emanuel
KES Stratford v Pate’s GS
Langley Park v Ravens Wood
Liverpool College v Wirral GS
Loretto v North Berwick HS
Loughborough GS v Bablake
Maidstone GS v Eltham College
Manchester GS v The Grange
Merchant Taylors’ v Audenshaw
Merchant Taylors’ v Reed’s
Plymouth College v Exeter School
Princethorpe College v KES Birmingham
Ratcliffe College v Nottingham HS
RGS Colchester v Ipswich 2nd XV
Richard Hale v Watford GS
Robert Gordon’s College v Linlithgow Academy
Sandbach v Ellesmere College
Sir Joseph Williamson’s v The Judd
Skinners’ v Chislehurst & Sidcup GS
St Anselm’s College v Stonyhurst
St Benedict’s v John Fisher
St George’s Weybridge v Tiffin
St Mary’s College v Scarisbrick Hall
Stewart’s Melville v Dollar Academy
Tonbridge v St Paul’s
UCS v St Edmund’s College
Wimbledon College v Wallington CGS
Wisbech GS v Culford
