It barely feels as though the half term break is in the distant past and yet, after twelve weeks or so, the schools rugby season comes to an end for most this weekend.
There is a packed midweek schedule next week, and a dozen or so games next weekend, but for the vast majority this is the final outing.
It will be an emotional final game, for those in their U6th particularly, this will be the last time they wear the 1stXV shirt and for those that won’t be involved in the 7s season, the last time in any sort of rugby shirt for the school. This is a matchday for all to savour, never again will this group of players play together as one team.
It is easy, sometimes, as a player to almost forget that. Parents, staff, wiser heads, don’t let that be forgotten. It is a day or a weekend to remember. Often the line is trumpeted about school sport being about enjoyment over performance, never is that more true than in these final games. Win, lose, or draw – and who would bet against a few draws after this madcap season – it is about making it a game to remember. Leave yourselves in a position at the end of the game where, regardless of the season as a whole, you walk off that field proud of the effort you gave and having had a blast. That’s what it’s all about.
There is an England U18 camp this weekend though, so for a number of players, and their teammates, the chance to sign off as a team has passed last week.
Among all that though, there are some mighty fixtures this weekend, some of the greatest and oldest fixtures in schools rugby history. A fascinating weekend awaits us.
Ten to Watch
Brighton College v Wellington College
Two heavyweights meet in what is a final game of term from Brighton College, who do continue for a spell in January, and a penultimate game for Wellington College, who are live on Thursday here on NextGenLive against Gordon’s. It should be a fantastic game, Wellington College will be eager to close the gap on Sedbergh at the top of the Daily Mail standings, having only lost to Clifton and Millfield this season, but a total of four points. The St Joseph’s Festival winners need to be sharp though, Brighton College have only lost to Epsom and Campion this year, and both are in the Continental Tyres Schools Cup semi finals. It suggests an epic game of rugby. It is worth also keeping an eye on the U16 game here, where both sides are unbeaten with matching played 10 won 10 records, some game that will be.
Bromsgrove v Bloxham
After a slowish start to the season, Bromsgrove are flying, three victories on the spin including a defeat of Millfield. Indeed their only blemish since half term is barely a blemish, a narrow defeat in a Cup epic to NSB. On Saturday the season concludes with a massive game, hosting a Bloxham side that is full of England U18s and is playing like it, since half term they are undefeated and playing some wonderful rugby, they do have one more game, against St Peter’s on Wednesday, and they will be eager to end on a high. Sadly each side will be missing two players to England duty.
Cheltenham College v Rugby
The oldest fixture is schoolboy rugby, the founders of the game travelling to the school that was the first to ever take them on. Both are playing well this season, and Cheltenham College are arguably one of the very best in the country – a big performance on Saturday would certainly cement that. Only Kingswood, King’s Worcester, and, agonisingly, Sir Thomas Rich’s have got the better of them, three of the best in the business. They are capable of brilliance. So too are Rugby School, though their task is hampered with their talisman away on England duty, their record since half term perhaps doesn’t look pretty, but their performances have far exceeded the results. This is a game they are always hugely motivated for, and they would love a crescendo to the season, with Marlborough College visiting on Tuesday too.
Clifton College v Warwick
Clifton College have been quietly brilliant this season, as their tight victories over Kirkham Grammar and Wellington College have shown, indeed victory over Wellington is a massive achievement this year. Without two of their finest players due to England’s camp, Clifton College will still be hugely motivated to finish the season in style and make it a climax to remember, but in Warwick, who are also without one of their players due to England, they face a side bustling with confidence after a strong victory over Rugby. They are also one of only two side to defeat NSB this season, this Warwick side is very good and would love to end the term with a shock result at Clifton College. It should be some game.
Ipswich v Whitgift
It’s the penultimate game of term for Ipswich, who face Samuel Whitbread on Thursday, but this is a massive game for them, their biggest since Cup defeat to the brilliant Campion. Since then, Ipswich have won three on the spin and host Whitgift in red hot form. Whitgift are riding a wave of confidence themselves, not least after a last gasp penalty from Sam Marshall (another now absent through England duty) at Sir Thomas Rich’s on Wednesday sent them into the Continental Tyres Schools Cup semi finals. It has taken the very best to stop them so far, but Ipswich will believe they can do it. A spectacular game of rugby likely awaits in this one.
John Fisher v Trinity
There aren’t many better ways to sign off a season that with a huge derby, and that’s exactly what this all-Croydon fixture is. For Trinity it is the final game of the season, a season that has had its hardships but a season that most recently saw them defeat Harrow, they will arrive at John Fisher absolutely bouncing with confidence. Fisher themselves have a game on Wednesday, but this is still huge for them, a final home game against a huge local rival. Like Trinity, it has been a frustrating season but, as victories over Hayes and Wimbledon College have shown, and a great performance against Campion, they are capable of some outstanding work. It should be an awesome game.
Northampton School for Boys v Stowe
After their Cup heroics on Tuesday against Kirkham Grammar, NSB will be keen to keep the momentum high. It will be some effort if they do it against a superb Stowe side, after the emotional comedown from Tuesday and the loss of four key players to England duty. They have been arguably the best in the country this year, certainly one of, but Stowe are no slouches either, only Mill Hill and Bromsgrove have got the better of them, two brilliant sides, and the L6ths of these two teams know each other well – they met in last year’s U16 School Sports Magazine Cup Final, with Stowe edging it. It is a final game of the season for Stowe, they will be hugely motivated. NSB meanwhile have two more to come before Christmas, Seaford College live here on NextGenLive on Tuesday, and Sir Thomas Rich’s on Saturday. Some crescendo to the term. This should be a fascinating game, it’s genuinely in the balance.
RGS Guildford v Cranleigh
A big Surrey derby to end the season for these two, and it should be a cracking game. RGS Guildford have been brilliant since the half term break, winning five of seven, being a disallowed try away from beating Brighton College, and giving a strong Abingdon side a good game. Cranleigh, meanwhile, have been brilliant all season. Only Mill Hill and Epsom College have got the better of them, it has been thoroughly impressive. They are short of games though, since half term they have only face Epsom College and, last week, Hurstpierpoint College in a narrow victory. This is a game that ought to be pretty close. Cranleigh generally have the better of it, RGS have just one victory in the last decade, but it is a very long way from being a gimmie. It should be an incredible afternoon.
The Judd v Skinners’
It is derby day in Kent too as two of the best state schools in the country go head to head, Skinners’ and The Judd. Both have been exceptional this year and over the last few years. Skinners’ have had an incredible season, unbeaten until defeats to RGS Guildford and Whitgift, from which they bounced back with back to back victories, including scoring 72 unanswered points last weekend. The Judd have also been excellent, including victory over RGS Guildford, and they too arrive off the back of a chunky victory. These two actually met in the Cup almost exactly a month ago, Skinners’ won that one 27-26, underlining just how closely matched these sides are. It should be another classic, the question is, will it go the same way as last time or will The Judd even things up on home turf?
Woodhouse Grove v King’s Macclesfield
These two sides have been brilliant this season, if perhaps a little under-appreciated. Only exceptional sides have got the better of them, Barnard Castle, Oakham, and QEGS for Woodhouse Grove, and they go their own back v QEGS a fortnight ago, while only QEGS, NSB, and Kirkham have bettered King’s Macclesfield. These are two brilliant sides and this should be a fantastic game. It’s a final game of the season for King’s Macclesfield, who have shown such guts and determination through the season, they have been outstanding. For Woodhouse Grove one more remains, hosting Kirkham Grammar, they will want real momentum heading into that. It should make for a cracking game on Saturday.
Friday 5th December
It is a relatively quiet Friday this week, with the majority of schools fishing up with a packed Saturday of block fixtures. However a handful of exciting games will take place on Friday, among them The Oratory hostingCokethorpe in what promises to be an entertaining game, both have certainly been involved in their fair share of exciting games this year.
Over in the West Midlands, Bablake and KES Stratford go head to head, Bablake have had a brilliant season and while KES have struggled, their recent form is outstanding, expect a good game. In Kent, meanwhile, it’s a second Friday game on the spin for St Lawrence College, who take on Chatham & Clarendon in a very special end of season Kent derby evening.
Friday Fixtures
Bablake v KES Stratford
St Lawrence College v Chatham & Clarendon GS
The Oratory v Cokethorpe
Saturday 6th December
Saturday is, as you might expect on the final full weekend of the season, absolutely packed and full of exciting games and big storylines. Perhaps nowhere more so that in South West London. Epsom College sensationally booked their place in the Continental Tyres Schools Cup semi finals on Wednesday with a stunning performance against 2024 U15 champions Radley College. Now they have to quickly reset for a huge game at home against Hurstpierpoint College to keep the momentum up. They will need to be sharp too, Hurst have hit their straps of late, a brilliant late victory over Rugby School, and a performance last week against Cranleigh that nearly saw them topple one of the best. That is the category Epsom are in, and Hurst will be itching to finish the season by claiming a huge scalp.
Elsewhere in the area, a massive game in Wimbledon as KCS Wimbledon host Dulwich College. KCS have had a fantastic season but Dulwich would be a marquee scalp for them. The visitors have had their struggles but this second half of the season has seen marked improvement, it should be a brilliant game. Across the road at Wimbledon College, who were knocked out in the Vase by Maidstone Grammar on Wednesday, Emanuel are the visitors in what ought to be another excellent game of rugby.
Elswwhere, Tiffin host a Reigate Grammar side that is having a fantastic season, while St Paul’s, who are in good form, welcome a strong London Oratory side, that should be a great season ender. Cardinal Vaughan meanwhile welcome Graveney, while Halliford and Claremont Fan Court both welcome opposition from Surrey in St George’s Weybridge and Royal Alexandra & Albert, two excellent games of rugby should be on the cards.
Down in Surrey, another fantastic game as St John’s Leatherhead and Hampton go head to head. St John’s have been excellent this year, but Hampton got the better of them in the Cup in a brilliant contest. This could be another classic on Saturday morning. Gordon’s are also in action, they have had a good year too, their ACE side finished in style on Wednesday, now the Boars look for a big performance against Windsor Boys’ ahead of their live game against Wellington College on Tuesday on NextGenLive.
Reed’s are into the semi finals of the Continental Tyres Schools Vase after a brilliant performance at Plymouth College on Wednesday. The task now for them is to keep the momentum up on Saturday when they host a St Benedict’s side that has had a superb season as well. It should be a cracker. Over at Caterham a massive one to finish the season too, with a strong Worth side coming across from Sussex looking to finish in style.
Over in Sussex, two sides that have had seasons to remember, Christ’s Hospital welcoming Duke of York’s Royal Military School across from Kent, both will reflect on this season with real pride but will be eager to finish with a performance to remember.
Over in Kent, a massive game and a rivalry that spans the ages, Tonbridge v Radley College. Both are reeling from tough outings, Tonbridge at Wellington College last week, Radley in the Cup quarter finals at Epsom on Wednesday. They will both be so keen to put in a big performance in their final game of the season, a game with so much history. Whatever happens it will be a magnificent occasion. Along the road at Sevenoaks, Eastbourne College are the visitors in what should be another fantastic game, both have played well this year.
Sutton Valence host Eltham College, two sides that have each had real highs this year, meanwhile Sir Joseph Williamson’s host the excellent Darfrord Grammar and King’s Canterbury welcome in form Simon Langton Grammar.
There is a special fixture at King’s Rochester as they host King William’s College, always a great schools rugby occasion. Meanwhile St Olave’s Grammar host Chislehurst & Sidcup Grammar and Gravesend Grammar, fresh from midweek excellence, host Langley Park. Tighter into London, Colfe’s host City of London Freemen’s, which should be a good game.
In North London, two sides from Hertfordshire head down, Bishop’s Stortford High School head in to take on Merchant Taylors’, which should be a fantastic outing for both, while UCS welcome St Columba’s College.
In Hertfordshire itself, Haileybury look to finish off their season in style after a good campaign, they host a St Albans side looking to bounce back from a tough outing against Mill Hill. Mill Hill themselves are in action up at Bedford Modern, though are without a couple of players due to England duty. Meanwhile as in Bedford, Bedford School host Abingdon, both have had brilliant campaigns, Abingdon had a first half of the season that will go down in history, while Bedford have seemed to build and build, right up to a draw on Tuesday with Oakham in the Plate. This should be a great game.
Across in Cambridge, The Perse look to continue a handy recent run as they welcome Hertfordshire’s St George’s Harpenden, there is Hertfordshire opposition in Essex too as St Edmund’s College take on RGS Colchester. Staying in Essex, Felsted finish off the campaign against one of this season’s quiet stars, Kent’s Maidstone Grammar, who are into the Vase semi finals. Along the road, Brentwood host Coopers’ Coborn.
In Suffolk, Finborough and Norwich meet, both have absentees due to England but it should be a cracking game between two sides that have had such highs, notably that Merchiston Festival title for Finborough. Framlingham meanwhile welcome New Hall, while Royal Hospital School host Bishop’s Stortford College, meanwhile Culford travel to take on Wymondham College.
Across in Northamptonshire, a fantastic game and a great rivalry as Oundle host Oakham in their final game of the season. The two met in the Cup back in September, Oundle winning 29-27, that put Oakham into the Plate, where they now head into the semi finals after an epic draw with Bedford on Tuesday – though they are missing one to England duty.. Will they round the term off by getting their own back on Oundle, or will the hosts do the double, either way it will be excellent. Two of this pair’s great rivals, Stamford and Uppingham also go head to head in South Lincolnshire. Uppingham have had an excellent year, and would love to finish these back to back games against Stamford and Harrogate Grammar in style, but Stamford finish off on Saturday after a season that has had some real high points, it should be another fantastic game of rugby. Up in North Lincolnshire, meanwhile, Worksop College host Nottingham High School, which should be another fantastic fixture on which to round off the season. Nottingham’s local rivals Trent College are meanwhile in action at KES Birmingham.
Up in Yorkshire some fantastic games, QEGS Wakefield and RGS Newcastle go head to head. QEGS will be gutted to have lost out in midweek to Campion in the Continental Tyres Schools Cup quarter finals, but will doubtless therefore be highly motivated. Meanwhile RGS have had a tough old season an will be itching to find a big performance in this their penultimate game. Pocklington had a day to remember last weekend, they will be keen for more of the same at home but they will have to be sharp against a St Peter’s York side that has been magnificent at times this year.
Up in the North East, Durham welcome Dame Allan’s, Durham were excellent last weekend and will be keen to build to a crescendo with Edinburgh Academy visiting in midweek, Dame Allan’s though have been brilliant this year. They took a calculated decision to rotate last week ahead of their Vase quarter final, it cost them on Saturday but paid off overall with a victory over Hitchin to reach the semi finals. They will be eager now to back that up and keep this momentum high. Also in action are Austin Friars, they sign off for the season with a big game against Newcastle School for Boys at Tynedale Park, a brilliant way for both sides to sign off.
Across the border it’s derby day in Glasgow as Glasgow High School and Glasgow Academy go head to head in a crucial game, meanwhile it’s a cross-border clash in Edinburgh as Loretto host Sedbergh’s 2nd XV, expect a brilliant encounter there, one that not to be missed.
Back in England, and Lancashire in particular, a huge game at Kirkham Grammar School as they host Denstone College. Both sides are missing players to England but this will still be a top quality encounter between two sides that have had some big moments this season. Scarisbrick Hall meanwhile host Liverpool College, a huge game for both sides.
Down in Greater Manchester, Stockport Grammar host The Wirral’s St Anselm’s College, both would love a big performance, meanwhile St Ambrose College host Manchester Grammar, another that should be a great game. Across in Cheshire, Cheadle Hulme host Lymm High School, two sides that are aiming for a big finish to the year, while Sandbach welcome Haberdashers’ Adams.
Over on the Wirral, two big games. Wirral Grammar host Merchant Taylors’ and Birkenhead welcome AKS Lytham, all four will be looking at these games as opportunity to finish in strong style.
Jumping to Wales, where Monmouth, the old giants of Welsh rugby, fresh from a draw with Millfield, host Kingswood, who have been absolutely outstanding this season. Over in Kingswood’s native Somerset, a stack of fixtures this weekend, including Taunton v Blundell’s, Taunton have been brilliant this season and even with an England absentee will be a very strong side, but Blundell’s have had huge moments of their own too.
In Bath itself, KES Bath and Prior Park College go head to head in what now feels a crucial game for both sides, while elsewhere Downside sign off at home against Monkton Combe, who also have a side in action at Warminster. Meanwhile Wellington School host Clayesmore, which should be another of those fantastic games.
Travelling out of Somerset are King’s College Taunton, they are in Bristol looking to bounce back from derby defeat as they take on Bristol Grammar, who have been involved in some of the most thrilling games of this season, is another cracker on the cards? Along the road the excellent Collegiate take on Gloucestershire opposition in the form of Pate’s Grammar, both will be eager to finish in style.
Over in Gloucestershire, a massive game at Dean Close as they welcome Old Swinford Hospital. Both have had some huge moments this year and will be so eager to finish off in memorable style. As will Sir Thomas Rich’s, who aim to quickly bounce back from that midweek heartbreak in the Cup, they face a dangerous side though in Solihull, who have had a season to remember after that first victory over Warwick in two decades. Elsewhere, Wycliffe College sign off away at Rendcomb College, both will be eagerly anticipating that one.
Over in Berkshire some great games as Pangbourne College and Shiplake College go head to head, always an excellent fixture, meanwhile Reading Blue Coat welcome a very much in form Aylesbury Grammar School side for what should be a top game. Game of the day in the area though is between two schools that are among the best known in the world, Eton College and Marlborough College, both will be eager for big performances ahead of special final games in midweek, Eton against a South African touring side, Marlborough at Rugby.
In Hampshire, Lord Wandsworth College and Dauntsey’s meet, two sides that have really impressed at times this season, it should be a cracking game. Meanwhile Embley host Ryde in a game that almost always delivers, while KES Southampton host Seaford College’s 2nd XV, with their 1st XV resting up ahead of Tuesday’s LIVE John Green Cup against NSB.
In Dorset, two fixtures as Sherborne, who at times have utterly lit up this campaign, head to Canford for what should be a spectacular season finale. Meanwhile Bryanston are finishing up at home against Exeter School, who have quietly been very impressive at times this season.
Saturday Fixtures
Austin Friars v Newcastle School for Boys
Bedford v Abingdon
Bedford Modern v Mill Hill
Birkenhead v AKS Lytham
Brentwood v Coopers’ Coborn
Bristol GS v King’s College, Taunton
Bryanston v Exeter School
Canford v Sherborne
Cardinal Vaughan v Graveney
Caterham v Worth
Christ’s Hospital v Duke of York’s RMS
Claremont Fan Court v Royal Alexandra & Albert
Colfe’s v City of London Freemen’s
Collegiate v Pate’s GS
Dean Close v Old Swinford Hospital
Downside v Monkton Combe
Durham v Dame Allan’s
Embley v Ryde
Epsom College v Hurstpierpoint College
Eton College v Marlborough College
Felsted v Maidstone GS
Finborough v Norwich
Framlingham College v New Hall
Glasgow HS v Glasgow Academy
Gordon’s v Windsor Boys’
Gravesend GS v Langley Park
Haileybury v St Albans
Halliford v St George’s Weybridge
KCS Wimbledon v Dulwich College
KES Bath v Prior Park College
KES Birmingham v Trent College
KES Southampton v Seaford College 2nd XV
King’s Canterbury v Simon Langton GS
King’s Rochester v King William’s College
Kirkham GS v Denstone College
Lord Wandsworth College v Dauntsey’s
Loretto v Sedbergh 2nd XV
Merchant Taylors’ v Bishop’s Stortford HS
Monmouth v Kingswood
Oundle v Oakham
Pangbourne College v Shiplake College
Pocklington v St Peter’s, York
QEGS Wakefield v RGS Newcastle
Reading Blue Coat v Aylesbury GS
Reed’s v St Benedict’s
Rendcomb College v Wycliffe College
RGS Colchester v St Edmund’s College
Royal Hospital v Bishop’s Stortford College
Sandbach v Haberdashers’ Adams
Scarisbrick Hall v Liverpool College
Sevenoaks v Eastbourne College
Sir Joseph Williamson’s v Dartford GS
Sir Thomas Rich’s v Solihull
St Ambrose College v Manchester GS
St John’s, Leatherhead v Hampton
St Olave’s GS v Chislehurst & Sidcup GS
St Paul’s v London Oratory
Stamford v Uppingham
Stockport GS v St Anselm’s College
Sutton Valence v Eltham College
Taunton v Blundell’s
The Perse v St George’s, Harpenden
Tiffin v Reigate GS
Tonbridge v Radley College
UCS v St Columba’s College
Warminster v Monkton Combe
Wellington School v Clayesmore
Wimbledon College v Emanuel
Wirral GS v Merchant Taylors’ Crosby
Worksop College v Nottingham HS
Wymondham College v Culford
