Rugby is the Key Sport in the Autumn Term at Stowe. The Rugby programme caters for all pupils whether they are seeking a professional career in the game or simply enjoying participating at their own level.
We welcome all pupils and believe the coaching structure helps players of all abilities to achieve their maximum potential.
There are 15 teams: 5 Senior teams, U16A-C, U15A-C and U14A-D.
We regularly field over 250 boys on Saturdays, playing competitive matches.
Coaching is available for players of all abilities, with all teams training three days a week.
All pupils are able to trial when they arrive in the Third Form with non-contact rugby an option for some less keen on the contact side of the game.
The end of season Inter-House Rugby Tournament is a fiercely contested highlight for every pupil to be involved in the sport.
The Seniors, Colts and Junior Colts have pre-season residential trips every Summer, and the Yearlings have a UK tour in the October Half Term.
Most teams have two coaches assigned to them with experienced members of the Academic Staff supporting the Sports Staff.
The 1st XV participate in a weekly Strength & Conditioning Programme, video analysis and position specific sessions, as well as Pilates and pool recovery sessions to maximise their development.
Our 1st XV have all their fixtures against “Daily Mail Schools Trophy” status opposition schools including Oakham, Bromsgrove and Oundle.
We currently have several boys representing either Northampton Saints or Wasps Academies in the U18s League, and training with the U16s and U15s on a weekly basis.
We have very strong links with both Northampton Saints and Wasps Academies who regularly use our facilities for training and matches.
The Seniors will embark on a major overseas tour every two years, with Zimbabwe and South Africa the destination in 2023.
Pre-season tours are organised for three age groups every Summer and the Yearlings have a UK Rugby tour in the October Half Term.
The U15s enter the NatWest Cup and all age groups enter the Rosslyn Park National 7s tournament in the Spring Term, which Stowe won in 2016.
We are fortunate to have one of the most iconic 1st XV pitches in the country with the spectacular North Front. This is a truly inspiring and aspirational setting for pupils and staff. Pupils also train on the Bourbon fields where we have an additional eight rugby pitches
Rugby is headed up by our Head of Rugby, Grant Seely; RFU Level 4 Coach and former player for Northampton Saints and England.
Regular coaching visits by professional coaches from Northampton and Wasps are arranged during the season to add positional specific expertise to the programme. In addition, there are many highly experienced coaches among the Academic Staff who have played and coached at a high level.