England titans Sedbergh to join Grey College and Hamilton at world festival

Sedbergh School is set to join some of the top rugby schools in the world, having been announced as the newest member of the World Schools Festival in Thailand.

The World Schools Festival will see eight of the globe’s strongest age-grade sides take to the field in a bid to see who is the best in the world. The eagerly-awaited tournament will take place at the Pattana Sports Resort in Thailand from the 12th to the 17th of December. There will also be a four-team Open Trophy competition being played alongside it.

Sedbergh have long been considered as one of the best schools in England – if not the world – for their rugby program. The Cumbria-based side have brought through many international players over the years, including the likes of Will Greenwood, Josh Hodge and Cam Redpath.

Sedbergh rugby are the team to beat | Sedbergh vs Whitgift | The Schools Championship

Sedbergh rugby are the team to beat | Sedbergh vs Whitgift | The Schools Championship

The northerners will take on Millfield, Grey College, Hamilton Boys’ and St Michael’s College, schools that represent four of the top rugby nations on the planet.

Sedbergh recently beat elite Irish rugby outfit Blackrock College in a pulsating match which ended 25-24.

The victory continued the side’s unbeaten run so far in the season, winning five out of five.

Will the school be able to maintain this record when they take on some of the best rugby sides from around the world in December?

An Open tournament running alongside the main cup competition at the World Schools Festival will see some of the most promising sides from across the globe take part. Rugby Travel Academy from South Africa and Odyssey XV are the first sides announced in the Open competition.

Founder of Rugby Travel Academy, Len Olivier, commented: “We believe the opportunity this Festival offers of travelling abroad, playing and meeting teams from all over the world, an invaluable experience for our players. The Open Trophy competition format still provides all players the chance to have an unforgettable rugby experience.”

Much has been made about who will come out on top in the main cup of the World Schools Festival.

In the previous iteration of the competition, Grey College resoundingly beat all the opponents put in their way. One of the most noteworthy victories was a 60-0 whitewash over Harpury College, one of the best academy teams in England.

Sedbergh will be hoping to change the narrative on schools rugby around the world, where South Africa are widely considered to be the strongest.