RFU National Schools Cup

The National Schools Cup (currently known as the Continental Tyres Schools Cup for sponsorship reasons) are a set of annual English schools' rugby union cup competitions, with the U18 Cup being the main competition. The finals of the Cup and Vase competitions are held at Twickenham Stadium, whilst finals for the Plate and Bowl competitions are held at another venue, usually of a Premiership Club. Cup and Vase Semi-finals are also held at a neutral venues. Competitions are held at the U18 and U15 age group levels. At each age level there are several competitions.

All fixtures, results and match reports posted on The Rugby Football Union's website. Up until 2015–16, the Vase was awarded for both age groups in a secondary competition for schools knocked out in the early rounds of the Cup.[1][2] Since 2016–17, the Cup and Vase competition in both age groups have been separated, with those eliminated in the first round of the Cup going down into the Plate competition, with those eliminated in the first round of the Vase competition going down to the Bowl competition.

Format

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Games are played in a direct knockout format, with 8 regions of up to 32 teams each depending on the competition. Teams in the Cup and Vase are decided based on previous years results, with stronger teams entering the Cup, and weaker teams entering the Vase. Round 1 losers of the Cup and Vase drop down to the Plate and Bowl respectively. After the 8 regional teams are decided, a set of national Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals and Finals follow, with the Final being between a Southern (Southwest and London & South East) region and Northern (North and Midlands) region team.

U18 competitions complete Rounds 1 to 5 and the national Quarter Final before Christmas, with the Semi-Final and Final rounds following in March. At U15 level, Rounds 1 to 4 are completed before Christmas, with Round 5 in January, Quarter-Finals in February, and Semi-Final and Final in March.

List of Cup Finals

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The U18 Cup commenced in the 1990-91 season, and has been the 1st tier tournament throughout, except for between 2014 and 2020, whereby it was the 2nd tier tournament.

Winners

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Year Winner Score Runner-up
1991 King Edward VI School, Stratford-upon-Avon 4-3 Bishop Wordsworth's School
1992 Bradford Grammar School 30-2 Mount St Mary's College
1993 Bradford Grammar School 74-17 RGS Guildford
1994 Mount St Mary's College 17-13 RGS Newcastle
1995 Colston's School 23-0 Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield
1996 Colston's School 20-0 Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield
1997 Colston's School 23-12 Kirkham Grammar School
1998 Colston's School 21-19 RGS High Wycombe
1999 Colston's School 42-17 RGS High Wycombe
2000 Colston's School 33-0 Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield
2001 The Campion School 18-0 Durham School
2002 Oakham School 28-23 The Campion School
2003 Oakham School 30-28 Barnard Castle School
2004 Colston's School 48-0 Barnard Castle School
2005 Exeter College, Exeter 25-23 St Peter's School, York
2006 St Peter's High School, Gloucester 26-17 Durham School
2007 Warwick School 24-23 Barnard Castle School
2008 Wellington College, Berkshire 7-3 St Benedict's School, Ealing
2009 Truro College 39-18 St Peter's High School, Gloucester
2010 Whitgift School 34-10 Royal Grammar School, Newcastle
2011 Whitgift School 45-24 Oakham School
2012 Dulwich College 15-8 Old Swinford Hospital
2013 Dulwich College 27-17 Northampton School for Boys
2014 Dulwich College 53-5 Warwick School
2015 Bromsgrove School 30-18 Dulwich College
2016 Bromsgrove School 18-10 Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield
2017 Warwick School 27-5 Bishop Wordsworth's School
2018 Warwick School 29-7 Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield
2019 Whitgift School 32-22 Warwick School
2020 Whitgift School & Warwick School Final cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
2021 Competition cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
2022 Trinity School 15-10 Kirkham Grammar School
2023 Oakham School 31-24 Trinity School
2024 Harrow School 29-27 Kirkham Grammar School

Results by School

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School Winners Runners-up Years Won Years Runners-up
Colston's School 7 0 1994-95, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999-2000, 2003-04
Warwick School 4 2 2006-07, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2019-20 (shared) 2013-14, 2018–19
Whitgift School 4 0 2009-10, 2010–11, 2018–19, 2019-20 (shared)
Oakham School 3 1 2001-02, 2002-03, 2022-23 2010-11
Dulwich College 3 1 2011-12, 2012–13, 2013-14 2014-15
Bromsgrove School 2 0 2014-15, 2015-16
Bradford Grammar School 2 0 1991-92, 1992-93
Trinity School 1 1 2021-22 2022-23
The Campion School 1 1 2000-01 2001-02
Mount St Mary's College 1 1 1993-94 1991-92
St Peter's High School, Gloucester 1 1 2005-06 2008-09
Harrow School 1 0 2023-24
Truro College 1 0 2008-09
Wellington College, Berkshire 1 0 2007-08
Exeter College, Exeter 1 0 2004-05
King Edward VI School, Stratford-upon-Avon 1 0 1990-91
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield 0 5 1994-95, 1995–96, 1999-2000, 2015–16, 2017–18
Barnard Castle School 0 3 2002-03, 2004–05, 2006–07
Kirkham Grammar School 0 3 1996-97, 2021–22, 2023-24
Bishop Wordsworth's School 0 2 1990-91, 2016–17
Durham School 0 2 2000-01, 2005–06
Royal Grammar School, Newcastle 0 2 1993-94, 2009–10
Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe 0 2 1997-98, 1998–99
Northampton School for Boys 0 1 2012-13
Old Swinford Hospital School 0 1 2011-12
St Benedict's School, Ealing 0 1 2007-08
St Peter's School, York 0 1 2004-05
Royal Grammar School, Guildford 0 1 1992-93

Other Competitions

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U18 Champions Trophy

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This competition was introduced in the 2014-15 season. This became the 1st tier tournament for the U18 section until its abolishment after the 2019-20 season final.

Year Winner Score Runner-up
2014 Millfield School 31-24 Grammar School at Leeds
2015 Bedford School 28-21 Epsom College
2016 Tonbridge School 17-10 Bedford School
2017 Dulwich College 39-24 Blundell's School
2018 Wellington College 24-16 Epsom College
2019 Wellington College 41-19 Rugby School

The competition was abolished after the 2019-20 season final.

U18 Plate

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The U18 Plate was introduced in the 2016-17 season, and is for teams that lose in the 1st round of the Cup. It is currently the 2nd tier tournament.

Year Winner Score Runner-up
2017 Reigate Grammar School 20-16 Solihull School
2018 Woodhouse Grove School 36-14 Trinity School
2019 Bloxham School 28-21 Sherborne School
2020 Dean Close School & Bloxham School Final cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
2021 Competition cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
2022 Stowe School 36-22 King's College School, Wimbledon
2023 Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe 27-24 Barnard Castle School

U18 Vase

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The U18 Vase was introduced in the 1995/96 season, originally as the U18 Plate, before becoming the U18 vase in the 1998/99 season. It was originally meant for teams exiting the first few rounds of the Cup, but since 2016-17, the vase has been for weaker teams, with 1st round losers going into the U18 Bowl. It is currently the 3rd tier tournament.

Year Winner Score Runner-up
1996 John Cleveland College 8-5 Langley Park School for Boys
1997 Bromsgrove School 36-12 Dauntsey's School
1998 Royal Grammar School, Guildford 25-16 Merchant Taylors' School, Crosby
1999 Bablake School 24-14 Bournemouth School
2000 Wallington County Grammar School 16-9 Lymm High School
2001 King Henry VIII School, Coventry 14-5 Stowe School
2002 The Sixth Form School, Solihull 15-13 St Bartholomew's School
2003 Hall Cross Academy 21-12 Coopers' Company and Coborn School
2004 Prince Henry's Grammar School 18-11 St Columba's College
2005 Crossley Heath School 10-3 St Joseph's College, Stoke-on-Trent
2006 Lymm High School 27-8 London Leisure College
2007 Ermysted's Grammar School 3-0 Wilmslow High School
2008 Sussex Downs College 14-13 Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Penrith
2009 John Cleveland College 23-15 Hampton School
2010 Sandbach School 14-3 Norwich School
2011 Solihull School 28-21 St George's College, Weybridge
2012 The Leys School 16-8 Ravens Wood School
2013 Yarm School 17-15 Felsted School
2014 Trent College 17-16 Exeter College
2015 Churcher's College 13-5 SEEVIC College
2016 Northampton School for Boys 17-12 St Ambrose College
2017 Trent College 43-7 The Royal Latin School
2018 Langley School 48-22 Wirral Grammar School for Boys
2019 Samuel Whitbread Academy 43-25 Dauntsey's School
2020 Newcastle School for Boys & Sutton Valence School Final cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
2021 Competition cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
2022 Mount St Mary's College 3-0 Sutton Valence School
2023 Old Swinford Hospital 33-33[a] Samuel Whitbread Academy
  1. ^ Old Swinford Hospital win on tiebreaker; first try scored[3]

U18 Bowl

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The U18 Bowl was introduced in the 2016-17 season, and is for teams that lose in the 1st round of the Vase. It is currently the 4th tier tournament.

Year Winner Score Runner-up
2017 Old Swinford Hospital 25-13 St Olave's Grammar School
2018 St George's College, Weybridge 36-10 Samuel Whitbread Academy
2019 The King's School, Worcester 34-10 Glyn School
2020 Ampleforth College & Worthing College Final cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
2021 Competition cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
2022 Nottingham High School 29-16 Eastbourne College
2023 Harrogate Grammar School 31-20 St Peter's High School, Gloucester

U15 Cup

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The U15 Cup was introduced in the 1987-88 season, and was the 1st competition out of the current set competitions.

Year Winner Score Runner-up
1988 Royal Grammar School, Guildford 12-0 Wellington College
1989 Rossall School 11-10 RGS High Wycombe
1990 Bradford Grammar School 30-4 King Edward VII and Queen Mary School
1991 Bristol Grammar School 8-6 Bedford Modern School
1992 The Skinners' School 19-6 The London Oratory School
1993 King Edward's School, Birmingham 11-10 St Benedict's School, Ealing
1994 Wellington College & Bedford School 3-3 Match ended in a draw
1995 Dulwich College 37-0 Bristol Grammar School
1996 RGS High Wycombe 17-13 Wellington College
1997 RGS High Wycombe 29-13 Whitgift School
1998 RGS High Wycombe & Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield 5-5 Match ended in a draw
1999 Whitgift School 18-12 Wellington College
2000 Wellington College, Berkshire 16-0 Bramhall High School
2001 Epsom College 17-12 The John Fisher School
2002 St Peter's School, York 16-17 Outwood Grange Academy
2003 Whitgift School 24-7 Millfield School
2004 John Cleveland College 17-12 Sherborne School
2005 St Benedict's School, Ealing 12-7 St Paul's School, Barnes
2006 Bedford School 16-13 Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield
2007 Lymm High School 20-15 St Paul's School, Barnes
2008 Wellington College 22-15 Millfield School
2009 Millfield School 34-15 The Judd School
2010 Wilmslow High School 10-7 Wellington College
2011 RGS High Wycombe 17-15 Truro School
2012 Grammar School at Leeds 17-12 RGS High Wycombe
2013 Warwick School 12-6 Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield
2014 Warwick School 17-0 Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield
2015 Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield 15-6 Warwick School
2016 Sedbergh School 24-17 Wellington College, Berkshire
2017 Wellington College 25-12 Warwick School
2018 Whitgift School 22-12 The Manchester Grammar School
2019 Wellington College 23-5 Northampton School for Boys
2020 Ivybridge Community College & Stowe School Final cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
2021 Competition cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
2022 Wellington College 31-8 Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield
2023 Northampton School for Boys 38-21 King's College School, Wimbledon
2024 Radley College 24-12 Northampton School for Boys

U15 Plate

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The U15 Plate was introduced in the 2016-17 season, and is for teams that lose in the 1st round of the Cup. It is currently the 2nd tier tournament.

Year Winner Score Runner-up
2017 Sir Thomas Rich's School 6-3 St Pauls School, Barnes
2018 Dr Challoner's Grammar School 31-7 Brighton College
2019 Trinity School 45-5 Hymers College
2020 Marlborough College & Rugby School Final cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
2021 Competition cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
2022 Stamford School 26-24 The Oratory School
2023 The King's School, Worcester 36-12 Abingdon School

U15 Vase

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The U15 Vase was introduced in the 2003/04 season. It was originally meant for teams exiting the first few rounds of the Cup, but since 2016-17, the Vase has been for weaker teams, with 1st round losers going into the U15 Bowl. It is currently the 3rd tier tournament.

Year Winner Score Runner-up
2004 St Benedict's RC High School 24-15 Lawrence Sheriff School
2005 Maidstone Grammar School 33-7 Oakham School
2006 Langley Park School for Boys 27-12 John Cleveland College
2007 Woodhouse Grove School 27-3 Solihull School
2008 Langley Park School for Boys 8-7 Calday Grange Grammar School
2009 The Leys School 25-3 The King's School, Macclesfield
2010 Lymm High School 24-10 Brighton College
2011 Saffron Walden County High School 32-14 Harrogate Grammar School
2012 Dauntsey's School 17-5 Sir Thomas Rich's School
2013 Royal Latin School 19-13 Felsted School
2014 Altrincham Grammar School for Boys 12-10 Graveney School
2015 Sherborne School 34-24 Oakham School
2016 Dr Challoner's Grammar School 19-10 Sir Thomas Rich's School
2017 The Thomas Hardye School 62-10 Dr Challoners Grammar School
2018 Beechen Cliff School 36-14 Kenilworth School
2019 Samuel Whitbread Academy 22-7 Dartford Grammar School
2020 Northampton School for Boys & St John's School, Leatherhead Final cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
2021 Competition cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
2022 Hitchin Boys School 11-0 Torquay Boys Grammar School
2023 Old Swinford Hospital 40-21 Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School

U15 Bowl

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The U15 Plate was introduced in the 2016-17 season, and is for teams that lose in the 1st round of the Vase. It is currently the 4th tier tournament.

Year Winner Score Runner-up
2017 Beths Grammar School 37-27 Pocklington School
2018 Saffron Walden County High School 19-10 Worth School
2019 Judd School 27-10 Hutton Grammar School
2020 King Henry VIII School, Coventry & Warden Park School Final cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
2021 Competition cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
2022 Hill House School 19-17 Poole Grammar School
2023 Prince Henry's Grammar School, Otley 45-14 St Peter's High School, Gloucester

References

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  1. ^ "The Daily Mail Trophy Merit Table". The Schools' Rugby Website. miSOCS. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  2. ^ "Competition Microsite: National Schools Rugby Competitions". Schools' Rugby. Schools' Sports. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  3. ^ National Schools Cup Regulations 2022-23, Rugby Football Union, Part B, Rule 5.3