Daly hopes to bring Grand Slam form for Daily Mail RBS Final

01 April 2011

Whitgift take to the pitch for second successive Daily Mail RBS Schools final
U20 star Elliot Daly looking for Grand Slam winning performance

(C) Capture the Event. England U20s and Whitgift centre Elliot Daly in Daily Mail RBS Schools action

Photo: Capture the Event

England Under 20 centre Elliot Daly is hoping to bring his Grand Slam winning form to Twickenham as Whitgift School aim for back-to-back Daily Mail RBS Schools titles.

Holders Whitgift will run out on to the Twickenham pitch for the second successive year – they beat Royal Grammar School Newcastle 34-10 last year – when they face Oakham School in the Under 18 Cup on April 6.

The 18-year-old, who just two weeks ago celebrated a clean sweep with England Under 20, said: "It would be amazing to add a schools cup win to the Grand Slam victory. Playing for my country is a massive honour.

"I can’t wait to get out onto the pitch at Twickenham with my school friends and play the kind of rugby that got us here in the first place."

"We won here last year which was an amazing experience, but to do it two years running would be beyond my wildest dreams. To play at this iconic stadium is a fantastic opportunity – and one that I hope to relive before I stop playing!"

Oakham aim for third Daily Mail RBS title

Harlequins fly half Charlie Walker in action for England Under 18

Photo: Getty Images

Standing in Whitgift’s way are Oakham, who will be searching for their third title in the competition after England Under 20's Charlie Walker snatched a last minute score against Old Swinford to send his team through.

Coached by former Leicester Tigers legends Ian Smith and Glenn Gelderbloom, Oakham held the title in 2002 and 2003 but will go into the final as underdogs against Whitgift, whose wins over Plymouth College and Wilmslow secured their path to Twickenham.

In the U18 Daily Mail RBS Vase, St George’s College, Weybridge, will take to the main stage for the first time following the narrowest of victories over Ravens Wood School in the semi finals at Broadstreet.

Despite leading for almost the entire match, Ravens Wood lost 15-13 after St George’s prop forward Lloyd Beeston sealed victory for his side.

St George’s opponents Solihull School had a smoother run in their path to the final, seeing off Woodhouse Grove 20-0 in an error-strewn affair.

Whitgift’s hopes of achieving the U18 and U15 double were dashed after captain Ned Warne’s cooly taken penalty five minutes from time secured Truro School’s place in the U15 Cup final.

The Cornishmen are only one game away from claiming the coveted trophy for the first time in their history, but standing in their way are three-time champions RGS High Wycombe.

Making the trip to rugby headquarters next week for the U15 Vase are Saffron Walden County High school, whose clinical 13-7 victory over Leicester Grammar will see them battle Harrogate Grammar School for the title.