Saturday 18 October 2025
Welcome from Bedford School
It is a real pleasure to welcome you all to Bedford School for our inaugural U14 Rugby Tournament, and I warmly welcome all the boys, teachers and supporting parents, who have come along to enjoy the day.
Rugby has long been woven into the fabric of Bedford School life. Since the late 19th century, generations of boys have pulled on their boots and taken to the field with pride, passion and a deep respect for the game.
Today’s competition is about enjoyment first and foremost. I am sure we will see some magnificent rugby on display, but the important thing is that we see the boys enjoy themselves and learn and, indeed, demonstrate true sportsmanship, teamwork and integrity.
I wish all the teams the very best of luck.
James Hodgson Head Master Bedford School
James Hinkins, Director of Rugby
and a warm welcome from our Director of Rugby
We are delighted to host players and supporters for what promises to be a fantastic day of rugby. The aim of the tournament is to give U14 players the opportunity to enjoy a brilliant playing experience alongside like-minded schools.
We hope every boy leaves with a real sense of achievement, great memories - and maybe even a medal! Wishing you all the very best for the day. Go well, and most importantly, enjoy the rugby.
A Message from Fraser Dingwall
Good luck to all the boys taking part in the Bedford School U14 festival. It is very exciting to see my old school hosting an event where lots of boys can compete and express themselves as rugby players.
I hope it is a thoroughly enjoyable day and that some great rugby is played. Good luck all!!
Fraser Dingwall Northampton Saints Captain England
Old Bedfordian (13-17)
OBs Fraser Dingwall (13-17) and George Furbank (13-15)
Overview
Timings
y There will be a coaches’ briefing at 10.45am outside the pavilion.
y Matches will start at 11.00am and the day will finish by 3.00pm. Please ensure boys play no more than 80 minutes as per Regulation 15.
y All matches will be 10 minutes each way with a 2 minute half time.
Refreshments
y Match teas will be available in the Dining Hall immediately after teams finish their last game.
y Staff will have access to tea and coffee from the Langham Pavilion.
y Parents and supporters can purchase other refreshments throughout the day from the Langham Paviliion.
Parking
y Minibuses and coaches should report to the security hut on Burnaby Road (off De Parys Avenue) on arrival to be directed to a suitable parking space. The sat nav postcode is MK40 2TT.
y Parents are welcome to park in the main school car park although spaces are limited. Once the car park becomes full, parents can park in any of the side roads shown in blue on the map overleaf which are all free-to-park roads.
Medical
Our on site Health and Wellbeing Centre will be open with two staff and there will be a roving pitchside sports therapist.
Changing Facilities
All teams will be allocated a changing room to be used for the duration of the tournament. These can be found overleaf.
Warm Ups
Teams may use Headmaster’s, Phillpotts and Chapel pitches for warming up whilst other teams are playing.
Photography
There will be a Bedford School photographer taking pictures of the tournament. Please advise a member of staff as soon as possible if you or any of your team do not wish to be photographed.
Dogs
We regret that no dogs (other than guide dogs) are permitted on the Bedford School site.
Rules of the competition
1. Rules of Play
All matches will be played in accordance with Regulation 15 (Age Grade Rugby).
2. Playing Time
Players must adhere to the playing time limits for a single day as set out in Regulation 15 of 80 minutes maximum.
3. Disciplinary Measures
y Yellow Card: 4 minutes in the sin-bin.
y Red Card: Player is dismissed and will take no further part in the tournament.
4. Substitutions
Rolling substitutions are permitted.
5. Format
y 2 pools of 4 teams, then crossover matches to decide overall winners of Cup, Plate, Vase and Bowl (four games in total).
y 20 minute games – 10 minutes each way with a 2 minute half time.
6. Tiebreakers
The group order in the pool stage will be decided by the number of points scored by each team (3 points for a win and 1 point for a draw).
In the event of a tie on points, the following will decide final placings:
1. Points difference (points scored - points conceded)
2. Tries scored
3. Winner of match between the tied teams
4. Coin toss
7. Tournament Spirit
y Focus on player welfare, fair play and enjoyment.
y Coaches, referees and players are expected to uphold the values of the game.
Teams and Changing Rooms
Bedford School (Langham Pavilion 1)
Wellington College (Langham Pavilion 2)
Eltham College (Langham Pavilion 3)
Uppingham School (Langham Pavilion 4)
Trinity College (Langham Pavilion 3)
St Albans School (2nd Team Pavilion 1)
The Perse School (Langham Pavilion 4)
Northampton School for Boys (2nd Team Pavilion 2)
Pool 1
Pool 2
Pool Stage
11.00am Bedford vs Uppingham Wellington vs Eltham St Albans vs NSB
11.35am The Perse vs St Albans NSB vs Trinity Uppingham vs Wellington
12.10pm Bedford vs Wellington Eltham vs Uppingham The Perse vs Trinity
12.45pm The Perse vs NSB
Finals Stage
A Proud Rugby Heritage
Bedford School rugby boasts a rich and impressive history dating back to 1870. Today, the sport remains immensely popular and with first-class facilities, expert coaching and a comprehensive year-round programme, boys continue to achieve remarkable success and develop a lifelong passion for the game.
“Whatever their achievements in other pursuits, the chief pride and glory of Bedfordians lies in their rugby.”
Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News (1934)
Partnership with Northampton Saints
Bedford boys receive first-class training and guidance from experienced professionals and visits from senior Northampton Saints players, offering unique chances to interact with and learn from professional athletes.
Community Rugby Coaches from Saints also conduct weekly staff training sessions, enhancing the quality of rugby coaching at the school.
Several boys join the Saints’ pathway programme each year, with many progressing to sign full-time contracts. OBs George Furbank, Fraser Dingwall, Jonny Weimann and Aiden Ainsworth-Cave are all part of the current Saints’ squad.
Year-Round Rugby Programme
Our year-round rugby programme, led by highly qualified experienced coaches, ensures that each boy receives the necessary training to enjoy the game and develop individually and as a team player.
Autumn Term: Main rugby term
Spring Term: Sevens rugby
Summer Term: Skills and game development and pre-season training
On-pitch training is supported by strength and conditioning programmes, allowing boys to continuously develop as athletes.
A Wealth of Expertise
The full-time staff includes the Director of Rugby, James Hinkins (former Bedford Blues player), and Deputy Director of Sport, Barry Burgess (Former Northampton Saints player). External coaches further enhance the coaching provision for boys in the autumn and spring terms. The coaches, many from Bedford Blues and Northampton Saints, all have professional playing backgrounds, ideally suited to developing all players in an ever-evolving game.
First-Class Facilities
The school playing field is home to eight rugby pitches, with a further pitch at the Gordon Field. The 1st XV pitch has an enviable position and the stunning backdrop of the school’s iconic main building.
The school’s first-class facilities are sought after, with Northampton Saints Academy and Community sections hosting training camps during holidays. The Bedford Blues senior squad also use our facilities during their summer pre-season schedule.
Fixtures and Tours
Bedford has an incredibly strong and competitive fixture list, including Radley College, Rugby School, Dulwich College, Warwick School and Eton College. The Dulwich fixture is the longest-running schoolboy fixture in the world and is always a wonderful occasion.
The Rugby Club embarks on a major tour every three years and has visited Canada, Australia and South Africa in recent years.
International OBs Through the Years
Budge Rogers OBE (49-57)
Flanker Budge Rogers earned 34 caps for England from 1961-1969, captained the team seven times, toured South Africa with the British Lions and played 24 times for the Barbarians. He was also the first English player honoured by the Queen for services to rugby.
Martin Bayfield (80-85)
A second-row forward for Northampton Saints and the Bedford Blues, Martin Bayfield earned 31 caps for England and played for the British & Irish Lions. Post-rugby, he worked as a presenter for BT Sport and ITV, and famously doubled as Hagrid in the Harry Potter films.
Andy Gomarsall MBE (OB 88-93)
World Cup winner Andy Gomarsall amassed 200 English premiership appearances, scoring 15 tries. Capped 35 times for England, Andrew took part in three Rugby World Cup campaigns. He is a proud member of the England 2003 Rugby World Cup winning squad and the England 2007 Rugby World Cup Finalists squad.
George Furbank (OB 13-15)
Fullback George Furbank broke into the Northampton Saints senior side during the 2018/19 season and was called up for England in the 2020 Guinness Six Nations, making his Test debut in Paris against France. Now Saints’ Club Captain, George has earned 14 international caps, scoring three tries so far.
Fraser Dingwall (OB 13-17)
Former Head of School and 1st XV Captain Fraser Dingwall scored his first international try against Wales in the Six Nations in 2024. He was a pivotal member of Northampton Saints’ Premiership-winning campaign in 2023/24 and captained the team in the Champions Cup Final in 2024/25.
...and some future stars
Jonny Weimann (18-24) and Aiden Ainsworth-Cave (15-24) both signed professional contracts with Northampton Saints Senior Academy while still at school. Jonny and Aiden were part of the England squad who travelled to Italy for the U20 Rugby World Cup in summer 2025 and both hope to play their part in the Gallagher PREM this season.
