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RFU National Schools Cup
English school rugby union competition
English school rugby union competition
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. 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
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
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
| 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 |
| 2025 | Harrow School | 22-14 | Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield |
Results by School
| 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 |
| Harrow School | 2 | 0 | 2023-24, 2024-25 | |
| 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 |
| 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 | 6 | 1994-95, 1995–96, 1999-2000, 2015–16, 2017–18, 2024-25 | |
| 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
U18 Champions Trophy
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
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 |
| 2024 | Cardinal Newman Catholic School | 15-7 | Uppingham School |
| 2025 | Dauntsey's School | 55-35 | St Anselm's College |
U18 Vase
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 | Samuel Whitbread Academy |
| 2024 | Felsted School | 42-19 | Ivybridge Community College |
| 2025 | The King's School, Gloucester | 29-16 | King Edward's School, Birmingham |
U18 Bowl
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 |
| 2024 | Richard Hale School | 26-17 | Richard Huish College |
| 2025 | Hayes School | 53-26 | The King's School, Ely |
U15 Cup
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 |
| 2025 | Northampton School for Boys | 22-5 | Lord Wandsworth College |
U15 Plate
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 |
| 2024 | Beechen Cliff School | 22-3 | Bromsgrove School |
| 2025 | Radley College | 32-17 | Kirkham Grammar School |
U15 Vase
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 |
| 2024 | Beechen Cliff School | 45-7 | Durham School |
| 2025 | St Pauls School | 32-3 | The Bishop's Stortford High School |
U15 Bowl
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 |
| 2024 | Reading Blue Coat School | 22-12 | Gordon's School |
| 2025 | Plymouth College | 36-10 | Wymondham College |
References
- https://web.archive.org/web/20071213022516/http://www.schoolsrugby.co.uk/tnt_DailyMailArchive3.asp
References
- "The Daily Mail Trophy Merit Table". miSOCS.
- "Competition Microsite: National Schools Rugby Competitions". Schools' Sports.
- [https://www.englandrugby.com//dxdam/15/15ca2f5b-a81f-4928-9257-d93a3d8b6f3f/Schools%20Cup%20Regulations.pdf National Schools Cup Regulations 2022-23], [[Rugby Football Union]], ''Part B, Rule 5.3''
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