Rosslyn Park 7s 2026
Rosslyn Park 7s is the Mecca of schoolboy rugby. Like Wembley or Twickenham to England football and rugby supporters.
With no Tiffin U18 entry this season, full focus was on the U14s, U16s and U18 Girls teams at the prestigious (inter)national 7s tournament hosted by Rosslyn Park. With 584 schools, 2391 matches and 16000 players, it is an extremely difficult tournament to do well in. Each age group competition runs across two days, with the winners and best runners up from day 1, progressing through to the knockout stages in day 2. The U18 girls have only reached day 2 once along with the U18 boys and the U14s whilst the U16s had never done it.
Tiffin U14s, this crop of players at the tournament for the first time, played three group matches, dominating the first one against Teignmouth and running out 24-0 winners. This was followed by two losses against Sedbergh, who are consistently one of the best rugby schools in the country year on year and Royal Hospital School. Standout performances from Jake, Dan and player of the tournament Noah contributed to a great first experience for the boys.
Next up was the U16 7s team who we had high hopes for. They are a talented group who had progressed to day 2 at U14 level two years ago. On the back of winning the Judd 7s and the Orleans Park 7s this season already, the boys entered Rosslyn park with a record of 10 played and 10 won. Day 1 saw them beat Stamford (who had ex Ireland international player Geordan Murphy coaching the team), Ysgol Caer Elen and Woodlands School before moving into the elimination round against Lathallen School. With six Glasgow Warriors academy players it was always going to be tough but the boys found a way and Ethan went over for a deserved winning score. Into day 2 the boys went with the added bonus of it coinciding with the U18 girls day 1. Both the girls and the boys supported each other admirably.
The U16 team at the end of Day 1
Out of 240 schools starting, only 32 progressed to day 2 and of those, only 5 were state schools. Day 2 kicked off with the U16s against Sedbergh. Potentially giving them too much respect, the boys played a little within themselves. A second loss to Lord Wandsworth left them with pride to play for against Denstone College. With the added motivation of the game being live streamed in the lecture theatre at school, the boys put in a hell of a performance to finish their tournament with a well deserved win. Every one of the 12 squad players played their part but special mentions must go to Ethan, Naveed and player of the tournament Tife who scored a few exceptional individual tries.
The girls then began their competition off the back of 10 wins out of 11 7s matches played with silverware already claimed at the Judd 7s. Group stage wins against Stamford and Queens College gave the girls a strong start but injuries to Leah and Daisy left the depleted squad with a challenge against Northampton School for Boys, who’s boys team are the best in the country. A tight loss meant Tiffin had to win against Worth school to qualify for day 2 in the Plate Competition. They won in style with tries from Erin and Salma, with Captain Esme kicking conversions for fun. Day 2 for only the second time in Tiffin history!
The U18 Girls after progressing to Day 2
Day 2 for the girls ended with two tight losses and a walkover to Tiffin. Game one against the Amazonians was lost by a single score and again watched in the lecture theatre at school. The girls knew that points difference in the second game against Coleg y Cymoedd would be key to progressing further in the competition but going all out can be costly and on this occasion led to another narrow loss. An incredible tournament from an incredible group of girls.
Player of the tournament Erin ‘Speed by name, Speed by nature’
Overall a hugely successful week for Tiffin rugby. Well done especially to the U16 boys and Girls who did the school very proud! Roll on next year…….