Festival Rules & Information
1. The competition will be played under RFU Age Grade Laws for U13.
2. U13 players can only be selected from Year 8 (No Year 7 players or combining of years) without prior consent.
3. Squads may consist of a maximum of 15 players.
4. Each team will play all of the other teams in that group.
Points will be awarded as follows: 4 for a win, 2 for a draw and 0 for a defeat.
In addition, 1 bonus point will be awarded to a side scoring 4 or more tries.
The placings in each group are decided by the group points scored or, in the event of a tie:
a) head-to-head result
b) most victories
c) fewest losses
d) points difference
e) tries scored
f) fewest tries conceded
g) golden try play-off
5. The 1st place teams will all go through to another group of four, 2nd place teams will go into another group of four etc. Each team will play six games in total.
6. Matches will be 7.5 minutes each way, with a one minute half-time.
7. The RFU half game rule will apply throughout the tournament. This is defined as every player in your squad playing half the available minutes across the whole day. Pitch managers will oversee this.
Weather permitting, the presentations will take place in front of the temporary pavilion immediately after the conclusion of the last matches.
www.littlegscoffee.com timeforyou@littlegscoffee.co.uk An artisan coffee company providing barista coffee shop quality coffee drinks from our rural pod locations and delivering fresh roasted coffee beans to your door nationwide. We source our coffee from the best coffee plantations around the world, roast them in England and deliver them direct to your door to brew and enjoy while taking some time for you...
Teams
A B
Caldicott Aviron Bayonnais Schools
Sedbergh Prep Dubai College
Merchiston College QEGS, Wakefield
IAPS Kenya Prep School Rams
C D
Haverford West High Northampton School for Boys
Winchester House Berkhamsted
RGS Newcastle Taunton Prep
RGS High Wycombe Cheadle Hulme
Officials
We are delighted to have such fantastic referees here today and extend a warm welcome to them. Caldicott are very thankful that they are giving up their valuable time. Please make them feel welcome.
Claude Cox - Stoke College
John Dunlop - Lions Rugby
Chris Umpleby - Bucks Society Referees
Clive Girling - Bucks Society Referees
Grant McMoneagle - Bucks Society Referees
Richard McMahon - Bucks Society Referees
The
Boys
25.
Schools Information
Caldicott
Caldicott has a rich rugby history having won the national prep school sevens at Rosslyn Park more times than any prep school, notably winning the titles back-to-back in 2014 and 2015 before the competition followed a waterfall format. Famous sporting alumni in recent times, include Chris Sheasby, Andrew Strauss, Adrian Jarvis, Sam Aspland-Robinson, Greg Fisilau, Riki Ma’asi-White and Kepu Tuipulotu. Our ‘sports for all’ philosophy is key to how the Sports Department runs at Caldicott and enables us to provide our boys with incredible life experiences as they form long-lasting memories with their closest friends. Caldicott teaches lessons to our boys that they take with them off the field: the ability to persevere, work in a team, and tackle challenges with a smile are a few examples of this. We were delighted to be named as the overall winners for sporting achievement at the Independent School of the Year Awards, 2019.
Aviron Bayonnais Schools
Aviron Bayonnais is proud to be the first French team to enter the Caldicott 10s. Strong bonds have been established over several years during the Caldicott pupils' visits on tour to the Basque region to sample its unique delights. It is, therefore, a real honour to bring a touring team to experience a tournament full of international flavour. For many of the boys from Bayonne this will be their first opportunity to play in the UK, and we hope that the French flair will be evident, regardless of the weather conditions.
We are hugely grateful for the lengths to which our hosts have gone to make this a reality, and hope this leads to the involvement of a Bayonne team in the tournament for many years to come.
Many boys have played together since U8s and have built up a strong reputation in the Bayonne tradition of being skilful and competitive on the field and great fun off it. Before departure, the squad will almost certainly seek advice from one of England's greatest players and Bayonne's star centre Manu Tuilagi, who has captivated his new fan base, both young and old, since the start of this season.
Berkhamsted
A strong fixture card and a collaboration with Saracens RFC as a Partner School means that Rugby goes from strength to strength at Berkhamsted. Recent successes include former pupils turning professional and being capped at England and Scotland age grade level, as well as a victorious Daily Mail Trophy campaign in 2021. Rugby sits within a strong sporting programme at Berkhamsted, which helps pupils to develop important skills such as teamwork, leadership, and perseverance. Pupils are encouraged to use these skills not only in sport, but within their academic studies too (where Berkhamsted has also enjoyed recent success), helping to develop them for life at Berkhamsted and beyond. A new Sixth Form Centre, completed in 2024, will further add to the opportunity to develop these skills.
Cheadle Hulme
Cheadle Hulme school are delighted to attend the Caldicott 10s once again. With this now our fourth visit, it has become the highlight of our Year 8 calendar and is something that those pupils who have visited before still speak of. As a 3-18 co-educational day school based in Cheshire, the opportunity to travel and play teams which we would never usually come across is fantastic for our pupils (and staff!) and to do so in such a wonderful setting as Caldicott makes it all the better.
Dubai College
Dubai College are excited about their return visit to the Caldicott National Schools 10s, which is an excellent addition to our UK tour for the Rosslyn Park 7s. Rugby in the UAE is going from strength to strength and our teams are well-versed in 7s, 10 and 15 a side versions of the game. Travelling to the UK will expose our boys to a higher standard of play and this is the environment in which we believe our squad members will grow and flourish. We sincerely thank Caldicott School for their kind invite and we hope that we are able to showcase the best of our school rugby throughout the tournament.
Haverfordwest High
Haverfordwest High is a Comprehensive School set in the scenic county of Pembrokeshire in West Wales. The school was established in 2018 after the merger of Tasker Milward VC and Sir Thomas Picton Schools. Rugby is a strong tradition in the School and we are very proud of Rob Evans and Sam Parry who have gone on to become recent Welsh Internationals. Teams are put out at every year group from the ages of 11-18. We are very excited to attend the Caldicott 10’s and look forward to playing some running rugby.
IAPS Kenya
The IAPS Kenya Rugby is a representative side made up of boys selected from the 10 Prep Schools that make up IAPS Kenya. The team has been running for a number of years, traditionally as a 7s side, and each year we tour the UK in March, taking part in Rosslyn Park 7s. We are delighted to be extending our tour again, staying on for a number of days in order to play at the Caldicott National Schools 10s.
Merchiston
At Merchiston, our Rugby programme is built on history, legacy and values. We are fortunate to have over 80 Old Boys who have played and are currently playing International Rugby . Our strong tradition and inclusive culture allow all our Boys to fall in love with the game. We fully understand the importance of history within Rugby, and our fixture against Edinburgh Academy being the oldest running fixture in the world. Our main aim is for every boy to enjoy his Rugby, to build lifelong friends, experience memorable and challenging moments which will help shape him for later life. Dedicated and passionate staff ensures each Boy fulfils his potential through a progressive Rugby pathway specific to him, whilst playing alongside their friends in a thriving team environment. We are honoured to play in this incredibly exciting tournament and our Boys and Staff are very grateful for this opportunity.
Northampton School for Boys
Northampton School for Boys is a boy’s non-selective state school with a proud rugby tradition.
Former students include Courtney Lawes (England Captain), Steve Thompson (England World Cup winner 2003). The school is the Official State School partner to Northampton Saints. The school produces over 10 teams on a prestigious, topflight circuit with over 200 boys representing the school on any given Saturday.
In 2013 the 1st XV were National finalists in the U18 RFU Schools Cup. In 2016, The 1st XV Won the U18 RFU Schools Vase. In 2019, The U15 team were National finalists in the RFU Schools cup. 2020 saw another U15 final, this time in the Vase (which never took place due to COVID lockdown). Last year the U14's were in the School Sports Magazine National Final against Epsom College.
Prep School Rams
Born from a last-minute entry to the 2024 Caldicott 10s, the Prep Rams have come together for this year’s competition, proudly representing a select group of pupils from Maidwell Hall, Bilton Grange, Beachborough, Witham Hall, and Framlingham. Over the coming years, we are excited to expand the squad, drawing from a wider pool of schools to provide early opportunities for the most promising, dedicated, and coachable rugby players at the Prep level. With decades of experience, as Directors of Sport in Prep schools, our approach centres on giving players the freedom to express themselves, creating an environment where they can play without fear of failure and develop to their full potential. For more information about the future of the Prep Rams, please contact us at info@rgsports.co
QEGS, Wakefield
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’ program 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 and 2022 sees the school's 11th Final appearance at Twickenham. Although we could not emulate the 2015 U15 victory on this occasion, we are working hard to return to Twickenham in the not too distant future. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to everyone involved, whose continued efforts drive our values and ultimately enable our students to thrive.
RGS High Wycombe
RGS High Wycombe have a long rugby history and run up to 20 sides, from U12s - U18 1st XV. RGS is traditionally a two-term rugby school, competing against sides such as Whitgift, Bromsgrove and Warwick School. 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 GB7’s at the Olympics later that year.
RGS Newcastle
We are thrilled to attend the Festival for the first time and thank Caldicott for the opportunity. RGS Newcastle has a proud rugby tradition, competing against some of the country’s top rugby schools. We take immense pride in our alumni’s sporting achievements, with recent alumni including Phil Brantingham (Saracens, England A), Will Welch (Newcastle Falcons), Fraser Balmain (Saracens), Kate Waugh (GB Triathlete, Olympian), and Tosan Evbuomwan (NBA, Ivy League Player of the Year 2022).
RGS Newcastle’s rugby philosophy emphasizes teamwork, respect, and resilience. The school is excited to contribute to this celebration of the game’s values and spirit.
Sedbergh
Sedbergh Preparatory School is thrilled to make our debut at the Caldicott 10s this year and eagerly anticipates the challenge ahead. Alongside the Rosslyn Park Sevens, this tournament provides the perfect finale to our boys’ Prep School rugby journey before they transition to Senior School. The chance to compete against schools beyond our region is an exciting opportunity that the entire team is looking forward to.
Sedbergh School is a well-known name in the schoolboy rugby circuit, and while our Senior School concludes its season with the prestigious National Schools Tens held at Sedbergh, it is fantastic that our Prep School boys will now have the opportunity to finish their season in a similar way.
Taunton
Rugby is the main sport played from Year 3 (tag) up to Year 8 just in the first term. We are proud that every pupil gets to and wants to play in fixtures most weeks against other schools in the area. It has been great to be back playing some 7s this term (although the strength of our hockey is making it increasingly harder to balance..!). Like most schools we have good years and better years and our current crop are a great bunch. They are looking forward to playing at this event against some of the top rugby playing schools in the country. Thanks to Caldicott for the invite and let’s hope we can do the South West proud.
Winchester House
Winchester House School are extremely delighted to be invited to the Caldicott 10s this year. WHS has a rich history when it comes to Rugby, dating back to the late 1800s. As a small Preparatory School with only 23 boys in Year 8, we are extremely proud of the sporting achievements of our current U13's. This team have played some wonderful Rugby this year and are now looking forward to being challenged on a much larger circuit. As newcomers to 10s Rugby, the boys have been given full freedom to express themselves and enjoy the opportunity, as well as meeting a diverse group of people and make lifelong memories. Thank you for having us.
Over 250 boys play rugby at Wellington and during the season we field 14 sides who compete on a regular basis. Recent successes in the U15 National Cup, Langley and St Joseph’s festivals, and consistent triumphs at prestigious 7s tournaments confirm our status as one of the UK’s top rugby schools.
Excellent coaching and close links with Harlequins and Bath academies see many boys progress to professional contracts and international recognition.
Overall, we pride ourselves on running a Rugby programme that allows players at every level to realise their sporting potential.
