News
Wellington College secured their semi-final place in the NatWest Schools Cup U15s competition by beating RGS High Wycombe in the quarter-finals
Wellington College are the sole south west representatives in the NatWest Schools Cup U15s semi-finals at Allianz Park on Saturday (March 15).
In one of the most eagerly anticipated matches of the tournament, they will face last year’s champions Warwick. Both sides have just one defeat to their name this season, and Warwick knocked out Wellington College in the quarter-final last year which could spice it up a little.
Wellington College's coach Dan Rosen can sense the excitement building in the team and the school for having not reached this stage for a few years now.
”The squad is obviously very excited", he said. "We haven't reached the semi-final for a few years and so there is a real buzz about the unknown. There is a really good atmosphere and sense of unity.
“This year’s team is no better or worse than previous years. The most pleasing aspect about this team is their desire to work for each other and play their part. There is no arrogant individual that is bigger than the team and that goes a long way at U15s.
“Warwick are an excellent side and have a lot of their victorious side from last year returning. We expect them to be well organised and play with pace and dynamism.”
With several players involved in last year’s victorious campaign, it is widely believed that this year’s Warwick side is even stronger. Something that won’t count for anything on Saturday according to coach Tom Pierce. He said: ”To be honest, individually we are probably stronger than last year in certain positions. However the boys are well aware that that counts for absolutely nothing in cup rugby.
“The most impressive development with this year's team is their hard work for each other, which perhaps wasn’t there at the very start of the season. Last year we had five boys involved in the cup winning side and I am sure that experience and knowledge will be really beneficial to the side.
"This season we also have four boys from the U14 playing up which has really helped to develop our game. Wellington will pose a very strong challenge indeed. They have had a very good season on a competitive fixture list."
Whitgift School secured their semi-final place in the NatWest Schools Cup U15s competition by beating Trent College in the quarter-finals
Semi-finals will be live on rfu.com/natwestschoolscup
Whitgift School will represent the south east in their NatWest Cup U15 semi-final on Saturday at Allianz Park. Winners in 2003, Whitgift take on last season’s beaten finalist QEGS Wakefield.
Whilst Whitgift have enjoyed plenty of U18 success, it has been over a decade since a Danny Cipriani inspired triumph at U15 level, and the success this year has been down to hard work according to Head of Rugby Chris Wilkins.
He said: ”The lads are keeping their heads down and working hard and enjoying the training and really just looking forward to the match next week . This year’s U15 are a very honest, hardworking team and this is their strength.
"Their attitude is good and they have developed well as the season has gone on and this is in no small part to the work of Head Coach Adrian Norris .We know that QEGS Wakefield will be very strong and have had a very good season, but other than that it is quite difficult to find out much more about them .
“We will be concentrating on ourselves and making sure that we prepare well and keep the boys minds on trying to play the best we can and see where that takes us .”
Meanwhile in the second U15 NatWest Schools Cup Vase semi-final, it will be an all-south east affair as Graveney School take on St. George’s Weybridge. Graveney were a surprise package earlier in the season, but impressive results have generated a real buzz around the school according to head coach Stacia Long.
She said: ”The excitement within the team is incredible. The boys are constantly talking about the game and everything that goes with it - the hotel and team dinner being a real focal point. They are going to the Tooting branch of NatWest in order to meet the staff, manager and regional CEO and to help decorate the branch in the school colours!
"It is great to have their support as well as the support from pupils, parents and staff within the school. We are expecting quite a few spectators but mainly pupils as they have never watched the boys play before due to having no pitch on site and always playing midweek games!”
St. George’s Weybridge coach Alex Wingfield-Digby says his side are looking forward to playing on the fast 4G surface at Allianz Park.”There is great excitement amongst the boys, and fierce competition to make the match day squad”, he said.
“After all the dreadful weather since Christmas they are very keen to get out and make the most of the chance to play on a hard surface.There are a number of good year groups at the school, but few have the same quality across 22 players. There are potential game winners all over the pitch, and I am excited about the impact that our bench could have.
“Certainly Graveney are a tough test with skill and physicality. I believe when the sides met last year it was a very tightly fought, high-scoring contest so I am looking forward to an intense and entertaining game of rugby."
Semi-finals draw in full - Allianz Park
U15s Cup – Saturday March 15
Whitgift School v QEGS Wakefield - 12pm
Warwick School v Wellington College - 2pm
U15s Vase – Sunday March 16
Altrincham Grammar School v Lymm High School - 12pm
Graveney School v St George’s College, Weybridge - 2pm
