RUGBY: International schools sevens at the Close

Rugby School will host the international Under 18s schools sevens tournament on March 24-25

The birthplace of the game is gearing up to host one of the biggest ever international U18s schools rugby sevens tournaments to be held in the UK.

In celebration of Rugby School’s 450th anniversary, 12 teams from Scotland, South Africa, Australia, Japan, Canada, Northern Ireland, New Zealand, Wales and England have been invited to play on the hallowed Close.

Rugby greats such as Jason Leonard and Martin Johnson, along with players from the top flight premiership rugby team, Wasps, will also be at the event where they will meet and greet the gathered audience.

An opening ceremony at 10am on Friday (March 24) will see all the teams parade on to the Close, led by Rugby School’s CCF band before being welcomed by Mr Leonard and the Head Master, Peter Green.

Matches will start at 11am, finishing at 4.30pm with the second day beginning at 11am and ending at 2pm. It will be the first time many of the visiting players have set foot on the ground where the game started in 1823, promising an exciting two days of rugby sevens from some of the best U18 players the countries have to offer.

Rugby School will be live streaming all games via its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RugbySchool1567 with World Rugby joining in to stream the final match.

Open to the public, tickets for the two-day tournament (March 24-25) are just £5 with free entry for children under 16. Visit www.rugbyschool.co.uk/450th to book.

The visiting teams are: Clifton College, England; Fettes College, Scotland; Hilton College, South Africa; Llandovery College, Wales; Marlborough College, England; Michaelhouse, South Africa; Nelson College, New Zealand; Oita Maizuru, Japan; Royal Belfast Academical Institution, N Ireland; Shawnigan Lake School, Canada; Shore School, Australia.