Another busy midweek of schools rugby awaits this week, with both fifteen-a-side and seven-a-side fixtures taking place.
Alongside those, there are also some U17 fixtures, in a time of year where it can feel like almost everything is happening all at once. It is going to make for a brilliant week.
Tuesday 3rd February
7s will be the headline act on Tuesday as Oundle School host the U18 Northampton Saints 7s. Saints run 7s tournaments across the age-groups, with the U13s taking place across several venues before a final round at Franklin’s Gardens. The U18s all takes place on Tuesday at Oundle School and features almost all of the top sides in the Northampton Saints catchment area.
For many it will be a first outing of the 7s season, a chance to get some valuable game time in ahead of the big challenges to come over the next six weeks or so. It ought to be a very fun day of 7s at Oundle.
There is also fifteen-a-side action on Tuesday as Bishop Vesey’s Grammar and RGS Worcester go head to head in a game that should be a fantastic contest. Both have had some excellent performances this season.
Tuesday Fixtures
Bishop Vesey’s GS v RGS Worcester
Northampton Saints 7s (Oundle)
Wednesday 4th February
On Wednesday, fifteen-a-side is the main event, with games across the country. The South East is particularly busy and in London Fulham Boys will be hosting Gordon’s, who had a decent 7s outing at Hurstpierpoint college over the weekend. Meanwhile in Twickenham Radnor House host West London Free School, while Esher College are at home to Wilson’s, and Grey Court welcome St Richard Reynolds.
Over in Tooting, Graveney welcome Carshalton, while in Croydon the Whitgift 2nd XV are in action at home against the Eltham College development XV. That will be an interesting one to keep an eye on.
Out in Kent there is plenty happening, Gravesend Grammar travel to Sir Joseph Williamson’s, that should be a good game, meanwhile their 2nd XV are on home turf, host the Wilmington Grammar 1st XV. Simon Langton Grammar are also in action, hosting a Maidstone Grammar side that lit the circuit up last term. Meanwhile Tunbridge Wells Grammar, school for former England captain Martin Corry, head to Bennett Memorial and Oakwood Park Grammar host Darrick Wood.
In Hertfordshire the Hitchin Boys’ 2nd XV are in 1st XV action, hosting Samuel Ryder Academy, while up in Northamptonshire Samuel Whitbread Academy are in action in a huge game against Coventry College, a massive tie that is not to be missed – these two have real quality.
In Gloucestershire, one of the games of the day – and Anglo-Welsh clash just three days before England and Wales go at it in the Six Nations. St Peter’s Gloucester, who have really been challenging themselves post-Christmas, welcome a Welsh giant in the form of Whitchurch High School.
Up near Birmingham, KES Camp Hill host Alcester Grammar, while in Shropshire Oswestry face the Ellesmere College 2nd XV, who will undoubtedly pose a strong challenge. Meawhile in Liverpool, a bit of a derby as Liverpool College host Merchant Taylors’, one to watch for sure.
There is key action in Yorkshire as the fantastic Harrogate Grammar welcome a Stonyhurst side that is looking to quickly bounce back after defeat on Saturday. There is also U17 action in Yorkshire as Woodhouse Grove and Hymers College meet, plenty will be learned about the season to come there.
Heading out of Yorkshire, another U17 side in the form of Scarborough College. They head to Sedbergh to take on their U17s, it should be a fantastic game between two sides that are expected to be incredibly exciting next year as U18s.
Wednesday Fixtures
Bennett Memorial v Tunbridge Wells GS
Esher College v Wilson’s
Fulham Boys v Gordon’s
Graveney v Carshalton
Gravesend GS 2nd XV v Wilmington GS
Grey Court v St Richard Reynolds
Harrogate GS v Stonyhurst
Hitchin Boys’ 2nd XV v Samuel Ryder Academy
KES Camp Hill v Alcester GS
Liverpool College v Merchant Taylors’
Oakwood Park GS v Darrick Wood
Oswestry v Ellesmere College 2nd XV
Radnor House v West London Free
Samuel Whitbread Academy v Coventry College
Sedbergh U17 v Scarborough College U17
Simon Langton GS v Maidstone GS
Sir Joseph Williamson’s v Gravesend GS
St Peter’s, Gloucester v Whitchurch HS
Whitgift 2nd XV v Eltham College Dev XV
Woodhouse Grove U17 v Hymers College U17
Thursday 5th February
The midweek action concludes on Thursday with one of the most special games in all of school sport, Edinburgh Academy v Merchiston Castle. It is the oldest continuous rugby fixture on the planet. It has been played since 1858, with the first game played at Raeburn Place, which hosted the first ever International Rugby fixture when Scotland hosted England. They have played every year since, and while Merchiston have had the better season to date, this fixture is rarely a simple one and Accies arrive off the back of a terrific performance on Saturday.
It should be a very special afternoon, as it always is when these two meet, and the rugby on the field should shine as well.
Thursday Fixtures
Edinburgh Academy v Merchiston Castle
