Rugby

The 2025 National High School Rugby tournament held in Saitama has kicked off, much to the excitement of players and fans alike. This year marks the 26th edition of the annual tournament which showcases some of the best schools rugby Japan has to offer.

In a rematch of the 2020 cancelled final, Wallace High School emerged victorious over RS Armagh at the Kingspan Stadium to lift the Ulster Schools Cup for the first time in the schools history.

In a low scoring affair, Blackrock College emerged victorious in a 14-9 victory over Terenure College to add a 72nd Leinster Schools Senior Cup title to their trophy cabinet. Hooker Harry O'Neill scored the only try of the game in the tightly contested game at Tallaght Stadium.

Kelston Boys’ High secured the World Schools Rugby Festival title with a hard-fought 20-12 victory over South African powerhouse Paul Roos Gymnasium in Abu Dhabi. Led by standout loose forwards Aio Keith, Joseph Paiali’i, and Ulutoa Ai’i, along with captain Jarrel Tuaimalo-Vaega, Kelston battled back from an early deficit to reclaim the championship for New Zealand for the third straight year.

The 2024 Scottish National Schools Cup finals did not disappoint with nail-biting matches, impressive performances and high quality rugby on display. Here is a round up of the action:

Despite facing a series of challenges this season, the Summit High School girls' rugby team triumphed to claim their 17th-consecutive state title, continuing their dominance in the sport. The season was marred by injuries to key players, including junior Teagan Barth and senior Olivia Lyman, which forced the team to adapt and build stronger chemistry. The Summit squad, led by head coach Karl Barth, showcased resilience and determination, overcoming obstacles to maintain their winning streak.

Southland Boys displayed their championship pedigree with a 32-15 victory over King’s High School in the Southern Schools Rugby Championship final. Leading 19-0 at halftime, Southland Boys’ weathered a strong second-half comeback from King’s, who closed the gap to 26-15 before Southland Boys’ sealed the win. Centre Crenshaw Conroy set the tone early, scoring within the first five minutes and helping his team maintain control throughout the match.

The Charlotte Cardinals Rugby Club made history by winning the High School Boys National Championship for the club division in May, marking a significant achievement for the three-year-old, all-volunteer nonprofit organization. With players and coaches hailing from diverse countries like New Zealand, Samoa, South Africa, Scotland, Ireland, and the U.S., the club's victory underscores the growing popularity of rugby beyond the West Coast. This win also makes the Charlotte Cardinals the first team on the East Coast to claim the prestigious title.

The 2023 National Schools Cup Finals at Murrayfield showcased a thrilling display of rugby talent, with teams from across Scotland competing for glory. Here's a....