The 2024 GPS first XV season begins on Saturday and Rugby News has spoken to the coaches to get the inside word ahead of round one.

Kings claimed an undefeated premiership in 2023 but most expect this year's 10-round competition to be far closer than last season.

Kings

Kings went undefeated last year to claim the school's third GPS first XV premiership in five competitions.

But just one player from last year’s group returns in 2024 and coach Hugh Perrett is hoping a new crop of talented youngsters can step up and compete when the season begins on Saturday.

2023: Premiers (10 wins, 0 losses)

Coaches: Hugh Perrett & James Hilgindorf

Fixtures: Scots (A), Shore (A), Joeys (H), Riverview (A), Newington (H), Scots (H), Shore (H), Joeys (A), Riverview (H), Newington (A)

Recent trial form: Kings 38-24 Waverley; Kings 19-19 Newington

Overview with Hugh Perrett: 

“It was an extremely talented side last year but they had to deal with a fair bit of pressure,” Perrett told Rugby News.

“They’d been successful through the age groups and there were high expectations on them so to go through and win undefeated, it was a great achievement and one they should be extremely proud of.

Click here to continue reading

Riverview

Riverview won seven of 10 matches in 2023 but that still wasn't enough to challenge an undefeated Kings outfit for the first XV premiership.

A handful of players from last year's squad are back for another crack this season though and coach Toby L'Estrange is hoping those returners and some talented youngsters can build cohesion and challenge for the school's first title since 2011.

2023: 2nd (7 wins, 3 losses)

Coach: Toby L'Estrange

Fixtures: Shore (H), Newington (H), Scots (A), Kings (H), Joeys (A), Shore (A), Newington (A), Scots (H), Kings (A), Joeys (H)

Recent trial form: Riverview 14-13 Barker; Waverley 12-5 Riverview

Overview with Toby L'Estrange:

"The squad is coming along nicely. A number of players from last year’s group graduated so we’ve got a lot of new faces,” L’Estrange told Rugby News.

“With a fresh group, it always takes a bit of time to get everyone up to speed with how we want to play and build cohesion on and off the field.

Click here to continue reading

Scots

2023: 3rd (4 wins, 4 losses, 2 draws)

Coach: Tim Andersen

Fixtures: Kings (H), Joeys (A), Riverview (H), Newington (A), Shore (H), Kings (A), Joeys (H), Riverview (A), Newington (H), Shore (A)

Recent trial form: Newington 36-7 Scots; Scots 24-12 Stannies