36th National Schools Rugby Festival Programme 2022

PRINCIPAL’S WELCOME

I am delighted to welcome you to the 36th annual St Joseph’s College National Schools Rugby Festival.

It is wonderful to be joined by schools from across England, Wales and Scotland; a warm welcome back to our regular competitors, including last year’s winning team, Millfield School, and greetings to newcomers, Strathallen, Marlborough and Trinity.

As ever, we are looking forward to a weekend of exciting, top-quality rugby and the opportunity to meet up with friends, colleagues, families and

students past and present.

A polite reminder: if you have children with you, please do ensure that they are supervised appropriately at all times. We are most grateful to our sponsor StrategiQ who has generously supported this year’s event and to SportsMed East for their medical and physio support across the weekend.

A final thank you must go to the College’s fantastic teaching and support staff, who work tirelessly to organise and host this fabulous Festival. In particular I would like to highlight the following staff and their

teams: Lucy Bolton (Events), Anthony O’Riordan (Director of Sport), Keiron Orris (IT), Mike Clarke (Operations), Rowland Winter (Director of Rugby), James Mann (Catering), Pete Hamilton (Grounds), Mark Harris (Caretaking) and Filipa Monteiro (Housekeeping).

I wish you all a thoroughly enjoyable weekend.

Danielle Clarke (Principal)

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WELCOME

WELCOME TO THE 36TH ANNUAL ST JOSEPH’S COLLEGE NATIONAL SCHOOLS RUGBY FESTIVAL.

Presentations of THE DE LA SALLE TROPHY and THE PLATE will be made immediately after the Trophy final. On the advice of Suffolk Police we are requested to remind you that no alcohol is allowed to be consumed at any time around the pitches and playing areas. A bar area is available for the purchase of alcohol and all alcohol must be consumed in this area. Any person contravening this request will be asked to leave by the Police or security officers.

SPONSORS

HEADLINE

StrategiQ

MAIN

Source One Consulting Cory Brothers STC Teamwear GLO (Generate Leads Online)

THANKS

SB Freight International CSF Education

Favorite Chicken England Rugby Travel Elite Rugby Scholars Advisors for Athletes Wincer Kievenaar Architects

IN ADDITION TO OUR SPONSORS AND ADVERTISERS, ST JOSEPH’S COLLEGE ACKNOWLEDGES WITH SINCERE THANKS THE HELP AND SUPPORT RECEIVED FROM THE FOLLOWING:

Zed Security Cheers Mate NextGen XV

Hero Site Solutions Black Jacket Events Anglia Coastal Marquues JS Sound and Light Premier Repro & Print

Prizim Productions SportsMed East Palmer and Partners Andrew Revill TruGym

And finally, all sponsors listed or who have advertised throughout this programme and the advertising boards. They are all proud supporters of the event and we thank them for their generosity and support.

FESTIVAL 2023

NEXT YEAR’S FESTIVAL WILL BE SATURDAY 21 AND SUNDAY 22 OCTOBER

FESTIVAL HISTORY

The St Joseph's College National Schools Rugby Festival was started in 1987 to commemorate the College’s Golden Jubilee. In its 36 years, the Festival has seen an abundance of top-quality players grace the turf.

Millfield has had a number of star players show off their skills at the Festival, from former England Captain Chris Robshaw to Anthony Allen and Mako Vunipola, a British and Irish Lion, no less. Former England full back Olly Morgan won the Player of the Tournament award in 2003, while England and Bath star Jonathan Joseph won it in 2008. Having won the tournament six times, it should be no surprise that Millfield has a number of top-level professionals among its old boys. More recently, Millfield has had a number of players breaking through to the edge of their professional 1st XVs: the likes of Tom Ellis at Bath, Callum Sheedy at Bristol, Try of the Tournament winner Tom Whiteley at Bristol, and 2011 Player of the Tournament Max Northcote-Green at Ealing Trailfinders.

Brighton College's alumni includes Harlequins’ back row James Chisholm, who was the U20 World Player of the Year in 2014, as well as his Harlequins’ teammate Jordan Turner-Hall. More recently, Brighton College’s Kyran Bungaroo (Biarritz and Leicester) and Marcus Smith (Harlequins) have played at the National Schools Rugby Festival before going on to play on the professional stage. Turner-Hall returned to the tournament as a coach in 2017 following his retirement from professional rugby, bringing Hurstpierpoint College to its first Festival. Ollie Phillips also played at the Festival and went on to play for Newcastle Falcons, Stade Francais and Gloucester, as well as captaining England 7s and being voted World 7s Player of the Year in 2009.

RGS High Wycombe has produced a hatful of top players to grace this wonderful tournament. Former Wasps’ winger Christian Wade, who left rugby union for American Football and now plays running back for the Buffalo Bills, played in three tournaments from 2006-2008, winning Try of the Tournament in 2007. Tom Rees was once forecast to captain England before injury cut his Wasps’ career short. More recently, Ross Neal spent a period with Wasps before moving to the Seattle Seawolves, an American Major League rugby franchise. More tragic was the terrible news of Nick Duncombe’s death at the age of 23. The scrum half had been tipped for greatness, and won Player of the Tournament in 1999. He is not the only scrum half on the RGS production line - England World Cup winner and British and Irish Lions series winner Matt Dawson was also a star for RGS at the Festival.

Dulwich College won the De La Salle Cup back in 2011, the school’s first trophy on a remarkable run that saw it win three Schools Cups in a row. Beno Obano, and Tommy O’Flaherty have gone on from that side to have professional honours with Exeter, and the Ospreys respectively. From previous sides, Sam Twomey and Tim Swiel progressed to excellent careers with Harlequins, as did Josh Ibuanokpe, who more recently left the Twickenham Stoop for North London rivals, Saracens.

QEGS Wakefield has one of the great records in school rugby, and the players who have passed through its ranks reflect that. Top of the pile is Mike Tindall, the former England centre and World Cup winner. Tindall represented QEGS from 1995-97, and when he left Ben Woods became the talisman, with the

Mako Vunipola, Millfield

Marcus Smith, Brighton

flanker going on to a sterling career at Leicester Tigers. A number of QEGS old boys are currently still actively playing across the top two tiers of English rugby, a testament to its programme.

St Joseph’s College has also had a huge number of players go on to professional careers - yet for all, the Festival will remain one of their great rugby experiences. Alex Day, now at Saracens, captained the St Joseph's College side and won Player of the Tournament at the 2010 Festival. The College’s most recent victory in the Festival came in 2013. Joint Players of the Tournament in 2013 were Dan Lewis and Lewis Ludlam. Dan Lewis retired from Coventry RFC and is now working in marketing, with Lewis Ludlam now captaining Northampton Saints. George Wacokecoke and Karl Wilkins who also both played in the 2013 Festival winning team are currently playing with Newcastle Falcons and Northampton Saints respectively. Other members of the squad include Luke Jeannot of Coventry as well as Ethan Waddleton and Tom Emery who have both been selected as members of the England and Great Britain 7s squad. Ethan Waddleton also represented Great Britain at the Tokyo Olympics. Among the other St Joseph’s College players who have had the privilege of running through the guard of honour and onto Pitch 1 at the Festival you’ll also find a number of players who are at the start of their professional careers. Recently retired from Northampton Saints, and also now amongst the coaching staff at St Joseph’s College is Samson Ma’asi, who following a life- saving kidney transplant in 2019, has had to take the decision to put his health first and step back from the game at the professional level. Emmanuel Iyogun, left us in 2019 to join Northampton Saints and has since been joined by Leroy O’Neil. There have also been a number of players who have seen success outside of the Premiership. Adrian Sandae has become a consistent member of Oyonnax’s Pro D2 squad and scored the fastest ever try in that league in the 2020-21 season. Leaving us in 2018, Marshall Sykes spent a period with Glasgow before signing for Edinburgh last season. More recently, Harri Williams, who signed his first contract with Scarlets aged just 15, has transitioned into their senior playing squad having also represented Wales at U20 level over the summer. St Joseph’s College’s relationship with Ealing Trailfinders and Brunel University has also seen seven players transition into their academy pathway and we’ll be keeping an eye out for how they progress in the coming years.

Of course, the Festival has seen different schools come and go; the likes of Colston’s, Sedbergh, Bromsgrove and Stamford have been part of previous sides and have seen some tremendous players grace the turf. Perhaps the most notable at the time was Bromsgrove’s Andy Goode, who won Player of the Tournament in 1997 before going on to great success with Leicester Tigers, Saracens, Wasps, Newcastle Falcons, Worcester Warriors and England. James Simpson-Daniel starred for Sedbegh at the turn of the century. There have been others too, including a Colston’s contingent that included the likes of Jordan Crane, Tom Varndell, Lee Mears, and Olly Barkley. At one stage or another, the likes of Wellington College, Oakham, and Campion have all entered, all of course winners of the Schools Cup, and fielded, among others, James Haskell, Tom Croft, and Tony Diprose.

The list of players to have played at the Festival is truly astonishing, and this year we can expect another group of young and talented players to take to the field. In another 36 years it might be their names that adorn these pages and grace our television screens as stars of the rugby world.

Mike Tindall, QEGS

Lewis Ludlam, St Joseph’s

SANTOS LEDESMA

St Joseph’s College 1st XV Team Captain and Head Boy

Santos Ledesma talks about what the Festival means to him

1. How has training gone this season?

We were thrown in at the deep end! Mr Winter and Mr Soper arrived and brought with them a great deal of hard work. From the first session in summer to the last day of pre-season we were challenged both physically and mentally. The boys responded excellently, with every member of the squad demonstrating great commitment to the badge and their teammates. The buzz around training has been astounding; everyone has been so excited to train and play on the weekend. Training more than we ever have before has allowed Mr Soper and Mr Winter to instil the new St Joseph’s mentality into the team.

2. What inspired your passion for rugby?

I have had a passion for rugby from a young age. My parents took me to Diss Rugby Club when I was seven and from then I fell in love with the game. Fast forward six years and I joined the College. This is where my passion blossomed. Watching my first Rugby Festival aged 12 I knew this was an event I had to be a part of as soon as I possibly could.

3. What is your favourite part of the Festival?

Running out onto Pitch 1 for me encapsulates what the Festival is; hearing the beat of the drum as you leave the changing rooms then hearing the chant of ‘Joeys!’ is something words cannot describe. Personally, this is my favourite part of the Festival and the feeling you get each time you run out is unmatched. Knowing that you are representing the whole College is an honour, and having the chance to inspire younger students feels surreal, as I remember being in their shoes looking up to the famous 25-man Festival squad, and thinking to myself that I cannot wait to be in their shoes one day. A close second is the Festival assembly, the moment the whole College finds out the team for the Festival, singing Jerusalem in Chapel with my teammates. Similar to running out onto the pitch, it unites the whole College together as one big family. It is an honour and a privilege to be Captain this year, to lead the boys out is something I have dreamt about for years, and now the time has come I couldn’t be more excited to do so. To have the chance to captain 24 incredible young men is an opportunity I will cherish for the rest of my life. It would not be possible without the support of the College community, my fantastic teachers, peers, teammates and my family, who have been there every step of the way of my life playing rugby.

Photo: Will Stace

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ST JOSEPH’S COLLEGE

Director of Sport: Anthony O’Riordan Director of Rugby: Rowland Winter Professional Rugby Coach: Lee Soper

Welcome to everybody joining us this weekend at the 36th National Schools Rugby Festival!

I am sure that every player, coach, parent, supporter, and volunteer is as excited as I am for such a special occasion that really will showcase everything that St Joseph’s College is about, and how school rugby is thriving in the UK.

It is my first experience of the Festival, however the build up of energy and excitement has been contagious, and the amount of planning and hard work behind the scenes is extraordinary which allows it to be the flagship event for school rugby in the UK.

The investment into the support and resources provided by the College will allow the development of the rugby programme to be accelerated over the next few years. We have already made significant steps during the last few months by expanding the provision through additional training sessions & skill masterclasses; investment into our analysis software; the recruitment of quality coaches and sports science practitioners and much more. All of this leads to the beginning of an exciting chapter for rugby and sport in general at St Jo’s.

On the pitch we have had a good block of pre-season training over the summer, with some challenging fixtures to test and stretch the players during the last few weeks. We have a young squad that is developing each week, with more than a third of the players currently in Year 11. The team will be led by Santos Ledesma as Captain. Santos is an outstanding leader, a talented second row, and is well respected and admired by more than just the rugby team at St Jo’s. He is supported by a number of senior players, who share an unrivalled drive and commitment to the College which sits at the centre of our team values.

Finally, I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone that makes this weekend happen, and creates such a special occasion for everyone involved. On behalf of the team, we are very grateful for the platform provided to represent the College. Each pool on Day 1 of the Festival has some big fixtures involving schools who can boast talented players and incredible depth. We are under no illusions of how tough each game will be, but we know the home support will be behind us which will inspire the boys and could make the 16th man and advantage that pays off!

ST JOSEPH’S COLLEGE

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DULWICH COLLEGE LONDON

The Dulwich College senior boys are honoured to be back at St Joseph’s. Many of the squad such as Tom Connellan, Charlie Cook, Max Constantinou and Tristan Saunders have played rugby at The College since The Junior School, or even Kindergarten! They combine the strong bond and camaraderie that these boys bring with the leadership of captain Tom Speed (Captain), Owen Casstles (VC) and Oscar Brown to make a fun side to coach with great potential. The boys have been inspired by the stories of the 2011 winning Dulwich team and last year’s try of the tournament which was started by Jago McGuinnessSmith and scored by captain Zach Carr who signed for Harlequins last season. We look forward to this team creating its own stories and memorable moments this weekend.

Squad

T. Speed (Capt), O. Casstles, M. Williams, P. Ceccolini, O. Brown, T. Connellan, C. Gilbert, O. Rynsard, M. Corkum, C. Cook, P. Ash, F. Cartwright, O. Steel, L. El Asmar, M. Constantinou, T. Jerman, T. Chamier, M. Racana, N. Firla, Q. Myers, L. Hector, T. Saunders, A. Mulley, T. Cornisteanu- Bailey, R. Richardson Squad

02 DENSTONE COLLEGE STAFFORDSHIRE

It is a pleasure for Denstone College to return to one of the highlights of the Rugby Calendar, the St Joseph’s tournament. This year Denstone College is led by George Perkins and has many of the players who made it to the semi-finals last year returning in their senior year. The squad boasts 9 members of the Leicester Tigers Academy, and George Perkins toured South Africa with England U18s over the summer. Results this season started with close victories against NSB and Mount St Mary’s, a good home win against St Peter’s York and a narrow loss to Ipswich.

A. Chihota, H. Clarke, H. Mountford, O. Musk, D. Green, G. Perkins (Capt), O. Read, N. Corry, C. Collier, A. Huang-Hodges, T. Hodder, H. Jones, J. Longyear, N. Gali, N. Reaney, C. Hart, E. Smith, A. Garrett, J. Cowgill, J. Dickson, B. Crawford, L. Roberson, T. Pickering, H. Eaton

03 WELLINGTON COLLEGE BERKSHIRE

Wellington College returns to the St Joseph's College Festival for the third time after winning the Festival in 2019 and coming as third place runners up in 2021. Wellington College has a strong tradition of rugby as a founding member of the RFU and has produced numerous age grade internationals and professional rugby players. There are currently over 20 OWs plying their trade in the professional game around the world. Those who do not go on to the full-time game tend to go on to play high level university rugby and we are proud to have many players in the various BUCS super rugby programmes. This year's squad includes a number of boys who are involved with both London Irish and Harlequins and are led by Charlie Gould (scrum half).

Squad

L. Anfield, H. Busby, M. Campbell, J. Cassar, H. Eckersall, B. Frampton, C. Gould (Capt), R. Hawker, Z. Kernon, I. Langford, J. Marais, L. McEwan-Peters, W. Morris, O. Nash, T. Offiah, J. Pym, H. Sangha, D. Simons, B. Smyth, W. Springett, G. Staveley, T. Taylor, O. Teague, O. Thomas, F. Walder, B. White

HURSTPIERPOINT COLLEGE WEST SUSSEX

Hurstpierpoint is excited to return to St Joseph’s College Festival for the fourth year in a row. Rugby at Hurst has a strong pedigree and regularly fields 19 teams from U10-U18 and plays on the South East circuit against Hampton, Brighton, Epsom, Seaford, Trinity and Cranleigh among others. Recent alumni are scattered across the premiership, championship, national leagues and BUCS competitions as well as local club rugby. We love coming to the St Joseph's Festival - meeting up with old friends as well as newer opponents from further afield. Rugby has been played at Hurst for over 100 years and we are proud to represent the Eagles!

Squad

S. Grigg, J. Mann, W. Zlattinger, O. Das, J. Clarke, C. Manger, Z. Palmer, F. Conway, M. Rayner-Parkin, M. Cannon, G. Clare, T. Michiels, L. Niesler, N. May, A. Worne, R. Daniell, H. Starkey, C. McIntosh, S. O’Connor, T. Bosley, E. Tusler, M. Arnold

COLLEGE WILTSHIRE

Marlborough College is delighted to be part of this year’s prestigious St Joseph’s College National Schools Rugby Festival. Having not competed here since 1999 & 2000, we are grateful to have received the invitation and look forward to experiencing the festival atmosphere. Marlborough is one of the oldest rugby playing schools and has done so since 1853 - with the oldest English schoolboy fixture taking place against Clifton in 1864. We pride ourselves in recognising that we are custodians of the game and regularly field 18 teams in the Michaelmas Term. We are affiliated with Bath Rugby and have 30 pupils playing within the pathway from DPP to U16 - 18 PDG. Our elite players understand the importance of balancing their academic studies and academy commitments.

Squad

F. Powell, O. Bartlett, M. Robinson, H. Hines, J. Hobson, W. Snooks, A. Nicholson, F. Palmer, W. Hudson, H. Green, W. Green, M. Robinson, L. Bosher, O. Howell, S. Brooks, C. Brook, H. Braxton, E. Wrench, W. Wilson (Capt), B. Sheldon, S. Hebblethwaite, J. Cook, C. Kirkwood, H. Moorhead, J. Tidmarsh

06 KIRKHAM GRAMMAR SCHOOL LANCASHIRE

A turning point for Rugby at Kirkham came in 1987 under the Captaincy of Mark Preston (England `B` and Wigan RL) with the squad winning the International Rugby Festival at Preston Grasshoppers. In the ‘90s Pat and Alex Sanderson attended Kirkham with Pat becoming the first KGS player to gain a full International cap and the ultimate honour of captaining England in 2006. Alex captained England Schools and went onto gain five Full Caps. Other notable Internationals who have attended Kirkham are Richard Wigglesworth, Kieran Brookes (Toulon & England), Kieran Marmion (Connaught and Ireland), Dan Kelly (Leicester & England) as well as Dan Bibby who won a Silver Medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. Several KGS players make up the current Sale Sharks squad including Sam Dugdale, Aaron Reed, Connor Dougherty and Kieran Wilkinson. Kirkham was also the 2021/22 National School Cup Runner Up at Twickenham in March.

Squad

D. Low (Capt), S. Kelly, W. Austin M. Dryhurst-Jones, P. Walsh, J. Gilmore, O. Corkish, J. Austin, M. Wright, R.Docherty, C. Read, R. Hulse, H. Tomlinson, O. Davies, E. Edwards, A. Dowds, C. Scanlon, A. Smith, O. Roberts, S. Lewtus, H. Reay, S. Eenhoorn, H. Whitton, A. Barbour, K. Boateng, M. Webber

07

WHITCHURCH HIGH SCHOOL CARDIFF

Whitchurch High School is a co-educational maintained comprehensive school based in Cardiff with 2,460 students on roll. Its rugby academy identifies and develops talented young athletes and engages them in an elite, high-performance development programme. Our Academy is in partnership with Cardiff Rugby in what is one of several key stages of player development in the Welsh Rugby Union World Class Performance Plan. Whitchurch High School Alumni includes Sam Warburton (Cardiff Rugby, WRU, British Lions), Elliot Kear (Salford Red Devils, WRL), Gareth Bale (Real Madrid, Tottenham, LAFC, FAW), Kiran Carlson (Glamorgan Cricket) and Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs, WRU) just to name a few.

Squad

M. Bignell, I. Godfrey, J. Steele, S. Bartlett, J. Sprudd, C. Pike, J. Sweeney, B. Malone, S. Morgan, M. Light, T. Calcaterra, B. Greenwood, E. Hartley, S. Dungey, E. Evans, M. Baldwin, J. Ellis, D. Willis, I. Hutchings, B. Spittle, S. Rees, J. Beya, C. Sinclair, M. Young, R. Hullet

08 TRINITY SCHOOL CROYDON

Trinity School, Croydon is an HMC independent day school for boys aged 10-18 with a co-educational Sixth Form. Sir Clive Woodward opened our strength and conditioning centre in 2015 and the France World Cup team used our training facilities and 1st XV pitch as a base during the tournament. We are renowned for excellence in rugby, with numerous players involved in the Harlequins and Saracens Academy programmes. The success on the pitch has been built upon a culture of hard work and enjoyment, we are blessed with great facilities, but we are even more fortunate to have a plethora of outstanding coaches who give their all to the programme and to the students. This year’s senior squad is looking to build on the legacy of last year’s team which won the National Schools Cup at Twickenham in March.

Squad

D. Bampoe, K. Fleary, T. Asanbe, C. Wilson, J. Marvin, J. Brome, O. Sweeney, O. German, W. Peart-Smith, R. Matebalavu, D. Gormley, L. Friday, C. Byrne, J. Bellamy, Z. Nixon, S. Medcraft, F. Kennedy (Capt), O. Leon, M. Farrell, O. Wilcox, T. Wilkie, F. Webzell, I. Opara, A. Fakorede, S. Goldschmied, O. Bailey

MILLFIELD SCHOOL SOMERSET

Millfield has a proud tradition of sporting excellence including Olympians, international footballers and a diverse range of sports stars to match the intake of the school. The St Joseph’s Festival is an integral part of the Millfield rugby calendar. Winning the 2021 festival helped Millfield become the most successful school in the event’s history. Our most recent England rugby international, Will Joseph, played in the 2019 competition. Previous Millfield students who have represented the school with distinction at the festival include internationals from all four home unions - Josh Bayliss (Bath and Scotland), Adam Hastings (Gloucester and Scotland), Rhys Ruddock (Leinster and Ireland), Callum Sheedy (Bristol and Wales), Jonathan Joseph (Bath and England) and Chris Robshaw (Harlequins and England). In addition to the players, Old Millfieldians Nick Buoy and Olly Morgan both return to the Festival coaching Brighton and Cheltenham College respectively.

Squad

I. Emanuel, S. Kava, H. Ormerod, M. Hall, O. Davies, O. Wilkinson, I. Davies, G. Timmins, O. Catlin, W. Stubbings, S. Emanuel, O. Erasmus, M. Williams, M. Rickard G. Cottrell, B. Beale, J. Lyons, C. Brock, H. Ebsworth, T. Howlett, J. Levenstein, J. Lee, H. Bonetti, B. Mulvey, A. Deering, G. Adeboye, H. Beasley

10 RGS NEWCASTLE TYNE AND WEAR

Since the RGS was founded in 1877 the game has become the major sport within the school. There have been numerous schoolboy international players over the years, and some have even gone on to full honours. The following old boys are currently playing premiership rugby at Newcastle Falcons - Will Welsh, Tom Penny, Joel Hodgson, Chidera Obonna, Phil Brantingham, James Blackett, Mark Dormer and Matt Deehan, while Fraser Balmain is at Gloucester.

The RGS won the De La Salle Trophy in 2018, after overcoming Millfield 17-9 in the final. Phil Brantingham was named Player of the Tournament in 2019. The 1st XV has enjoyed long runs on the Schools Cup over the history of the competition as it reached the semi-final of the competition in 1992 and 2001, and in 1994 and 2010 was runner-upin the final played at Twickenham.

Squad

M. Irving, R. James, R. Linkleter, H. Wilson, C. Roberts, N. Savic, S. Wardle, M. Tidd, L. Jessop, T. Cressey, J. Prescott, D. Stephenson, T. Hannant (Capt), C. Deehan, J. Dykins, Z. Ikwue, B. Wardle, S. Snaith, A. Cook, Z. Old, M. Shield, W.Ponton, C. Kelly, W. Emmerson, D. Rehimbek, L. Reilly

11 STRATHALLAN SCHOOL PERTHSHIRE

There is a huge amount of anticipation about our first appearance at the prestigious St Joseph’s College National Rugby Festival. Strathallan School has a strong tradition and long history of rugby dating back to 1913 with numerous players representing Scotland across the age groups all the way up to the national team. We have 9 players currently playing professional rugby at the top level of the game for the likes of Glasgow Warriors, Edinburgh Rugby, and Leicester Tigers. Strathallan by virtue of its school’s philosophy, is a relatively small school that consistently punches above its weight on the rugby field. As part of the SRU’s top conference we compete every season against the best and biggest schools in Scotland. We understand that taking part in this Festival is a huge challenge for us, but it is with this type of challenge that allows us to provide the best environment for our players to compete and improve.

Squad

C. Aija, A. Anderson (Capt), O. Baverstock, S. Brodie, A. Chisholm, H. Chisholm, A. Clark, E. Cooper, R. Cromar, D. Gordon, Z. Gray, Z. Henderson, P. MacIntyre, C. McDermott, M. Moody, M. Morrison, H. Norval, S. Norza

M. Oliver, A. Rankin, K. Robertson, C. Stirling, C. Taylor, J. Townshend, L. Williams

12 QEGS WAKEFIELD YORKSHIRE

Since 1872 Rugby Union has formed an integral part of QEGS Wakefield. Whilst a number of Old Savilians achieved international honours; most notably, Mike Tindall (World Cup Winner), Mike Harrison (England Captain) and Gordon Bonner (B&I Lion), we take most pride in our ‘made in QEGS’ programme and the number of alumni who stay in the game, whether it be in the local Yorkshire leagues or the English or Hong Kong premierships. QEGS has a strong tradition in the U15 and U18 Schools Cups with 2022 seeing the school's 11th appearance at the Twickenham Final. Our 1st XI has competed at the St Joseph’s Festival for over 20 years and we look forward to what we are sure will be another invaluable experience.

Squad

L. Bailey, H. Bowser, M. Brown, O. Brown, D. Cockayne, E. Evans, W. Fyfe, D. Fleming, G. Grafton, W. Heath, E.Hunter, F. Lambert, J. Lawrence, E. Leonard, C. Otter, H. Ramsden, J. Riding (Capt), M. Shelton, O. Smith, A. Stancliffe, D. McCourt, T. McKinnell, A. Miller, D. Mpofu, J. Nicholls, S. North

13 BRIGHTON COLLEGE SUSSEX

Brighton College rugby teams are regularly fielded each Saturday and the club has strong links with Sussex, Harlequins and local clubs including Brighton, Hove, Lewes, Haywards Heath and Worthing Raiders.

Over 30 players have signed professional contracts in the last 10 years including the Chisholm brothers and Marcus Smith recently winning the premiership with Harlequins. Three Brighton College boys were signed by Harlequins last season which makes it currently six in the Harlequins senior squad. There have also been 30+ junior international caps including James Chisholm (England 20s) who was captain when England won the Junior World Cup playing at number 8. The most recent Full England cap is Marcus Smith who also became the first Old Brightonian to play for the British and Irish Lions.

Squad

A. Barkshire, M. Cole, A. McKitterick, J. Hewer, O. Sagar, J. Sahi, N. Faulkner-Weale, L. Skinner, A. Kane, C. Spiers, G. Williams, T. Vander, J. Davies, T. Ghadimi, J. McGuinness, B. Webb, S. McNamara, T. Saunders, H. Streak, E. Dando, E. West, H. Williams, K. Farrell, W. Galbraith-Gibbons

14 RGS HIGH WYCOMBE BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

RGS High Wycombe has a long history with the St Joseph’s Festival, having competed in the tournament for over 20 years and winning the Plate competition in 2012. Over thirty schoolboy internationals have been selected from the RGS ranks in the past twenty years. Former rugby old boys include Matt Dawson and Nick Beal (both British and Irish Lions and England representatives), Nick Duncombe (England/Harlequins), Christian Wade (Lions, England/Wasps) and most recently Ben Harris, who was named ‘Men’s Player of the Year’ for England 7s in 2021 and represented GB7s at the Olympics later that year.

Squad

J. Gillis, B. Gale, J. Tchape, J. Dove, J. Darvell, O. Kenyon, A. Dass, S. Lee, L.J. Ekendahl, L. O’Shea, J. Pearce, O. Hobden, W. Conroy, J. Lloyd, C. Hodson, W. Stonehouse, J. Kucera, A. Gosal, S. Sinclair, C. Martin, J. Caesar, T. Hooper, Z. Gibson, O. John, R. Clark, G. Anderson

SCHOOL MIDDLESEX

Hampton School has celebrated recent leavers enjoying further success in the sport, with 2018/19 Captain, Louis Lynagh starring for Harlequins and his vice-captain, Gwilym Bradley, playing for Cardiff Blues and 2021 leaver Jamie Benson playing for Harlequins alongside his studies at Cambridge. Alex Lundberg won the IRB Junior World Cup with England while playing at Wasps and Akira Takenaka played for Japan U20 and the Mitsubishi Dynaboars in the Japanese Top League. Recent 2022 vice-captain Connor Cross represented England U18s and signed an academy contract with London Irish. The current 1st XV has started the season well, and is looking forward to returning to St Joseph’s, with the Festival now a highlight of the season at Hampton, with the school lifting the De La Salle Trophy in 2015 and the Bowl in both 2016 and 2018.

Squad

C. Hill (Capt), J. Acela, H. Langrish, T. Cowin, H. Donaldson, T. Tyler-Low, D. Haarhoff, O. Tynan, T. O’Donnell, H. Lewis, N. Allen , O. Humphrey, J. Morgan, S. Ho, F. Hall, M. Venner, F. Skinner, M. Taylor, J. Brownleader, M. Cardosi, Z. Gellatley, F. Wiseman, N. Luckman, T. Williams, O. James, S. Lamming

THE DRAW

GROUP 1 GROUP 2

01 Dulwich College05 Marlborough College

02 Denstone College06 Kirkham Grammar School

03 Wellington College07 Whitchurch High School

04 Hurstpierpoint College08 Trinity School

GROUP 3 GROUP 4

09 Millfield School13 Brighton College

10 RGS Newcastle14 RGS High Wycombe

11 Strathallan School15 St Joseph’s College

12 QEGS Wakefield16 Hampton School

RUGBY SHOWCASE

Whilst the U18 teams take a well-earned break during the lunch interval on Saturday 15 October, Woodbridge, Ipswich and Colchester Rugby Football Clubs along with St Joseph’s College will have the opportunity to compete on the hallowed St Jo’s Pitch 1, whilst the cameras keep rolling and live streaming to a worldwide audience.

The U11s rugby showcase is from 1pm.

13.00St Joseph’s College v Woodbridge Rugby Club Ipswich Rugby Club v Colchester Rugby Club

13.15St Joseph’s College v Ipswich Rugby Club Woodbridge Rugby Club v Colchester Rugby Club

GROUP

SALLE TROPHY

WANT

PLAY

FOR WALES BUT

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provides

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aged 13 & above in the UK and abroad, including Higher Education students, and has strong

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with universities in Wales.

in

HENRY WEBB MEMORIAL TROPHY FOR TRY OF THE TOURNAMENT

2010 C Lord St Joseph’s College

M Stanway St Joseph’s College

T Whiteley Millfield School

G Wacokecoke St Joseph’s College

T Marchant Dulwich College

N Thomas Millfield School

E Kelly QEGS Wakefield

J Searle Brighton College

L Martin St Joseph’s College

J Slaney Hampton School

Z Carr Dulwich College

NICK DUNCOMBE MEMORIAL TROPHY FOR PLAYER OF THE

2011 M Northcote GreenMillfield School

S Denman Millfield School

D Lewis St Joseph’s College

Ludlam St Joseph’s College

Z Mercer Merchiston Castle

R Matlin Hiscock Hampton School

M Smith Brighton College

T Smith Brighton College

D John Millfield School

P Brantingham RGS Newcastle

J Smith Brighton College

Player of the Tournament Winner 2021 Jonny Smith

Try of the Tournament Winner 2021 Zach Carr

TROPHY WINNERS

2009 John Fisher School 15 - 8 Bedford School

2010 St Joseph’s College 19 - 7 Campbell College

2011 Dulwich College 11 - 7 Filton College

2012 Millfield School 8 - 0 John Fisher School

2013 St Joseph’s College 11 - 10 RGS High Wycombe

2014 Millfield School 8 - 7 St Joseph’s College

2015 Hampton School 8 - 5 RGS High Wycombe

2016 Cranleigh School 10 - 10 Brighton College

2017 Brighton College 38 - 12 Millfield School

2018 RGS Newcastle 17 - 9 Millfield School

2019 Wellington College 19 - 5 Kirkham Grammar School

2021 Millfield School 10 - 7 Brighton College

THE DE LA SALLE TROPHY WINNERS 2021 MILLFIELD SCHOOL

PLATE WINNERS

2021 Kirkham Grammar School 10 - 3 Hampton School

THE PLATE WINNERS 2021 KIRKHAM GRAMMAR SCHOOL

streaming at: festival.stjos.co.uk

BOWL WINNERS

2009 John Fisher School 15 - 8 Bedford School

2010 St Joseph’s College 19 - 7 Campbell College

2011 Dulwich College 11 - 7 Filton College

2012 Millfield School 8 - 0 John Fisher School

2013 St Joseph’s College 11 - 10 RGS High Wycombe

2014 Millfield School 8 - 7 St Joseph’s College

2015 Hampton School 8 - 5 RGS High Wycombe

2016 Cranleigh School 10 - 10 Brighton College

2017 Brighton College 38 - 12 Millfield School

2018 RGS Newcastle 17 - 9 Millfield School

2019 Wellington College 19 - 5 Kirkham Grammar School

2021 RGS High Wycombe 3 - 0 RGS Newcastle

THE BOWL WINNERS 2021 RGS HIGH WYCOMBE

SHIELD WINNERS

2021 St Joseph’s College 5 - 5 King’s School Worcester

THE SHIELD WINNERS 2021 ST JOSEPH’S COLLEGE

Game on!

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RULES

All games are played in accordance with ERFSU Laws (to include the Global Law Trials).

In the preliminary phases of the competition, competing schools will be drawn into groups of four. The organisers seed pools taking into account geography and previous record.

All preliminary group stage matches on Saturday shall be of 25 minutes duration – 12.5 minutes each way with a 3 minute interval at half time.

During the group stage of the competition, each team will play every other team within their own group, 3 points being awarded for a win and 1 point for a draw. Should two or more teams finish their group matches with the same number of league points, the team scoring the greater number of tries will be placed higher. If still equal, the team with the best points difference between points scored and points conceded will be placed higher. If still equal, the team with the greater number tries converted will be placed higher. Should two or more sides still be equal, the decision will be reached on the basis of the games between those sides using the above criteria (number of tries scored and if still undecided, number of tries converted). Should these criteria not decide the result, for example, if the result is 0-0, the tie shall be decided by a place kicking competition. (Best of five kicks, taken from directly in front of the posts on the 22m line, moving into Sudden Death if required

- all players named in a twenty five man squad are eligible to be selected to take a place kick, with each player taking one kick only).

Following the preliminary group stages, the tournament will become a knockout competition. The two highest placed sides from each group entering into the Trophy Quarter Finals and the remaining sides competing in the Bowl Quarter Finals. At the semi-final stage, Plate and Shield competitions will emerge from the Trophy and Bowl respectively. To clarify, any drawn matches during the knockout stage of the competition will be decided using the aforementioned criteria (number of tries scored and if still undecided, number of tries converted). Should these criteria not decide the result, for example, if the result is 0-0, the tie shall be decided by a place kicking competition. (Best of five kicks, taken from directly in front of the posts on the 22m line, moving into Sudden Death if required - all players named in a twenty five man squad are eligible to be selected to take a place kick, with each player taking one kick only).

All knockout matches on Sunday shall be of 20 minutes duration – 10 minutes each way with a 3 minute interval at half time.

The RFU has confirmed that no players should play more than 90 minutes across the weekend. It will be the responsibility of the coaching staff of each school to ensure these guidelines are adhered to.

Replacements may be used in a 'rolling' fashion, with no limit on how many substitutions may be made in any given game. We would like to highlight that there is an expectation that teams participating in this festival adhere to the ‘Half Game Policy’', with players all gaining a minimum of 67.5 minutes across the weekend.

Should a team be forced to go to uncontested scrums during a match at any time within the tournament, they will have to reduce to 14 players for the remainder of that match. This will be done by removing a backline player from the field of play. That is, the scrum on both sides will still remain an uncontested eight-man scrum. If a team must go uncontested from the start of a match, the above will apply for the whole duration of that game.

Any player receiving a Yellow card will be temporarily sent off for four minutes in the 25 minute games and three minutes in the 20 minute games. Any player receiving a Red card will not be allowed to take any further part in the competition. Any such incidents will be reported back to the pupil's Head Teacher for review of whether further sanction is appropriate. The team may start the next game in the tournament with a full complement of players.

Each school will advise the organisers of their colours at the time of entry. An alternative set of jerseys must be available and, in the event of a clash of colours, the team named

second in the programme shall be required to change. The referee will make any decision with regard to the clash of colours.

Schools will be required to certify that all nominated players are full time students attending the school for which they are nominated. The age group definition for the Tournament is inline with the RFU “Age Grades and Applicable Variations”, under the age group ruling that all players must be under 18. Please note that following feedback, there will be a return to the strict U18 categorisation of this

Festival and as such all players should have been born on or after 1st September 2004. It is the responsibility of each school to ensure that the correct process has been followed for any U16 players ‘playing up’.

It is the responsibility of each school to ascertain their playing commitments throughout the tournament, and to be present at the pitch where they are due to play ten minutes before the advertised kick off time. Failure to observe this rule could result in forfeiture of the match.

Any matter arising from these rules shall be referred to the Tournament Referee (Mr Anthony O'Riordan) whose decision shall be final.

The organisers reserve the right, in the event of inclement weather, or for any other reason, to alter the format of the competition and/or the programme. Clarification and instructions in such case will be issued by the Tournament Control.

These rules supersede any previous ones issued.