Monmouth Haberdashers have taken the lead in the 2026 SOCS Daily Mail Schools Trophy after recording four consecutive victories in the opening weeks of the autumn rugby campaign.
The unbeaten Welsh school holds top spot in the national merit table following tight victories over Bromsgrove by 27-22 and Sir Thomas Rich's by 38-25. Former Wales international Richie Rees coaches the side, having joined the institution as director of sport in 2024 after concluding a successful coaching career that followed a playing career featuring nine caps for his country.
"We like to give it a go," said Rees, outlining the attack-minded tactical philosophy he has brought to the team. Monmouth Haberdashers, an independent co-educational school situated near the border in South Wales, has built a reputation for sporting development alongside its academic tradition.
Monmouth have dramatically transformed their fortunes after leaving last season's disappointing form of only one win well behind. The campaign turnaround has been built around an experienced forward pack coupled with a line of talented lower sixth players operating in the backs.
Lock Olly Beynon, who is part of the regional Dragons academy system, provides leadership in the engine room of the forward pack. The backline is directed by fly-half Elliot Young, who is on the books of the Irish Exiles development program established to track Irish-qualified talent playing in Great Britain.
When Young was absent on Irish Exile duties last Saturday, centre Jack Lawrence stepped in to take his chance at No 10 against Sir Thomas Rich's. Sir Thomas Rich's, a state grammar school academy based in Gloucester, enjoyed a spell at the summit of the Trophy standings during the previous season.
Televised Clash and Tour to South Africa
Monmouth have the opportunity to make it five wins from five this Saturday when they host RGS Worcester before the SOCS cameras. The fixture is scheduled to be broadcast live on Schools Sports TV at 1:30pm, giving viewers a chance to watch the top-ranked side in action.
Following Saturday's match, the Monmouth squad will depart for a half-term tour to South Africa at the end of October.
The Daily Mail Schools Trophy, run in partnership with sports management platform SOCS, is a national merit table competition contested by leading school XVs across England and Wales during the autumn term. After almost a month of action, teams across the country are jockeying for position in the standings. Monmouth assumed the lead from early frontrunners Seaford College and are currently fending off a competitive field of challengers.
Challengers and Former Champions
Radley College currently occupy second place in the Trophy table having assembled a strong squad that has secured four wins from four matches. The Oxfordshire independent boarding school has already accounted for former Trophy champions Cranleigh, with their most impressive performance coming in a 60-0 demolition of Epsom College.
Clifton College, who claimed the national Trophy title in 2024, are mounting another strong challenge after claiming four victories already this season. The Bristol school has recorded notable wins against fellow former champions Harrow School and Cumbrian rugby powerhouse Sedbergh School.
Brighton College have also maintained a perfect record of four wins from four games, spearheaded by captain Hugo Bressard. Playing from full-back, Bressard has scored four tries in four matches. Brighton were forced to show resilience in their latest fixture against Tonbridge School, scoring two second-half tries to overturn an early deficit.
Historic Derby Triumph for John Fisher
The biggest celebrations of the season so far took place at John Fisher School in Croydon, where the team posted their first victory over local rivals Whitgift School in 17 years with a 23-14 scoreline. John Fisher is a Roman Catholic state voluntary aided school in South London with a long history of competing against the nation's top rugby schools.
"A long time to wait but certainly worth it when it came," said James Gillespie of John Fisher, reflecting on the landmark derby result.
Seaford College, the early Trophy leaders from West Sussex, returned to winning ways by defeating Epsom College 31-14. The victory allowed Seaford to recover from a defeat against champions Northampton School for Boys, with full-back Harrison Lane scoring three tries to secure a rare win over Epsom.
Reigning champions Northampton School for Boys have also recovered their momentum after suffering early-season losses to Mill Hill School and Ipswich School. The state secondary school from Northamptonshire secured a 43-33 victory last Saturday against former Trophy winners Berkhamsted School.
Five-Win Record for RGS Guildford
Royal Grammar School Guildford has become the first team in the competition to reach five wins this season. The unbeaten Surrey day school has compiled a formidable record across its opening five fixtures, defeating The Judd School 33-0, Wimbledon College 66-0, King's College School Wimbledon 35-7, Hurstpierpoint College 29-17, and St Paul's School 24-10.
The Daily Mail Schools Trophy continues throughout the autumn term, with SOCS providing the central tracking and statistical management for school fixtures across the country.
