Rugby

Bedford School rugby has a long and impressive history.

Records suggest that the first team to represent the school took the field in 1870, and the familiar red jerseys of the 1st XV are mentioned as far back as 1881. Altogether, 19 Internationals, 4 British Lions, 30 Barbarians, 29 Oxbridge Blues and countless Schoolboy Internationals have been produced by Bedford School.

The XV have recorded 33 unbeaten seasons on a circuit that includes schools such as Dulwich, Harrow, Oundle, Tonbridge, Uppingham, Wellington, Warwick and Rugby. Most recently, the 2015 XV became only the fifth team in the history of the school to win every game, and the XV were undefeated at home between 2007 and 2011. The unbeaten season for this team also included victory in the Champions Trophy final.  In the 2016 season, the XV couldn’t quite emulate the success of the previous year but still had an impressive season, losing just two matches on their regular circuit, which included another run to the Champions Trophy final. The Under 15 team have been Daily Mail National champions in 1995 and 2006. The National Sevens Festival title was won in March 2014 and on two other occasions prior to that. In addition to this, in recent seasons the Under 16s were finalists in 2008 and reached the last 16 in 2015 and 2016. The Senior VII were semi-finalists in 2011, 2013 and 2017, reaching the last 16 in 2012 and the final in 2016.

Jamie Elliott (1st XV 2009 and 2010) has played for Northampton Saints, Bedford Blues, Italian Pro 14 side Zebre and has signed for Bedford Blues for the current season. Oliver Lyons, captain of the 2013 XV and the successful 2014 Sevens team, has now made the decision to study at Bristol University having been on a full-time contract with Wasps and Munster. George Furbank (1st XV 2014 and 2015) plays his club rugby at Northampton Saints and played in the England team that won the 2020 Six Nations. He was joined at Northampton by Fraser Dingwall and Fraser Strachan in 2017, who have both had 1st XV experience. Fraser Strachan has also had a number of 1st team appearances at Bedford Blues and Ealing in the Championship.  The most recent signing to the Northampton Saints is Kayde Sylvester, who joined them in 2020 on a full-time academy contract.

Rugby is the major game for the autumn term, with training on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons and fixtures on a Saturday. The school runs four senior teams, four Colts teams, four Under 15 teams and eight Under 14 teams, and there is an opportunity for all boys to play at a suitable level. Professional coaches are employed to assist the school staff, with the overriding emphasis placed on individual skill development, safety and enjoyment at all levels. The 1st XV players also take a ‘Position Specific Session’ with all the other age groups every week of the autumn term.

Sevens is played at Under 14, Under 15, Colts and Senior level in the spring term. In the last few seasons, several regional and national tournaments have been won by all age groups.  The National Sevens Festival title was won in March 2014 and on two other occasions prior to that. In addition to this, in recent seasons the Under 16s reached the last 28 in 2023, and the U18s reached the last 18 in 2022. The U15s won the prestigious Wimbledon College (John Pieroni) tournament in 2023. 

Mr James Hinkins (Director of Rugby and Physical Education Department) along with Head of Athletic Development Max Roger design and monitor the conditioning programmes and testing of all the boys. Medical back-up is provided by Sports Therapist Julie Dass and her team.

Representative rugby is encouraged and supported, and during recent seasons alone, there have been numerous East Midlands and Midlands players, as well as 18 schoolboy Internationals. The most recent being Fraser Dingwall, who played for England U20 (playing against France in the World Rugby U20 Championship 2018 Final) and Scotland at U18 and U16, which he captained and Fraser Strachan, who played for Scotland U18 and U20.  In 2017, both Fraser Dingwall and Fraser Strachan played for England U18 in a successful international series.

Tours occur on a regular basis, the most recent being a joint rugby and rowing tour to Australia in 2023. All boys who come through the school from the Fourth Form will have an opportunity to go on a rugby tour.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

The link with Northampton Saints continues to go from strength to strength with close involvement taking place between the Club and the school in a number of areas. Several boys have signed full-time contracts with the club during recent years, and George Furbank and Fraser Dingwall have become regulars in the match day squad. Several current 1st XV players are part of the Junior Saints (Under 18) Academy squad. There are also numerous players in each age group who attend the PDG and DPP sessions at the Saints.