How John Fisher state case for life at the top
But battling against these giants of the independent sector are a small number of impressive state schools, and most impressive of the lot is John Fisher, a Catholic school from Purley in Surrey which thrives on rubbing shoulders against the best, and with great success.
Notable for producing England star Paul Sackey in the late Nineties, in a sevens team that famously won back-to-back Rosslyn Park titles, John Fisher look to have another team of similar class and relentless determination.
This season they won the Plate at Hampton's festival before being crowned Middlesex champions by beating Harrow two weeks later. But their best performance came at Rosslyn Park where they reached the Open final at the end of March, downing Wellington in the semi-finals before being edged out by Millfield in the final.
On Saturday they get another shot at school rugby's powerhouse in a rematch of the RP7s final during the London Sevens in front of a sold-out Twickenham crowd.
And to make things even sweeter for John Fisher, one of their old boys, Jack Walsh, could be running out for England minutes before their game.
Head coach Matthew Gold told The Rugby Paper: “Playing at Twickenham is a great occasion for the boys. It's a great reward for both sides really. To have Jack playing for England just before us would be great too and it will only spur the boys on.
“They trained very hard this year and at the end of the 15s season some of them said they needed to train more to be in their best shape for sevens so that's what they did.
“Playing against the top schools is driving them forward as they want to keep replicating their success.
“We can't really compete with the schools near us when it comes to recruiting players, or funding, so it can be surprising to see us being successful but rugby relies on hard work and team ethics which are values we and the school try to teach to our players.”
Hidden behind the luxurious houses off Purley's Peaks Hill and with a successful 1st XV, everything suggests John Fisher is a plush public school like nearby Dulwich and Whitgift, but it could not be further from the truth.
With little funding from the state and most of the best players around being poached by their posh neighbours, everybody works hand in hand to defy the odds year on year.
“We have pupils who come from a wealthy background but we also have some that come from less wealthy ones and that's what makes us so unique,” said forwards coach Michael Davies.
“There isn't a lot of money made available from the state and there are cuts every year so we have to work very hard to fund the programme off our own back.
“The rugby balls are paid for but the rest is all down to us. Being successful helps a lot in that aspect but the parents and teachers have been great for us, too. None of them have to do anything but it's all part of the Christian ethos.
“There is a huge enthusiasm around rugby at the school and more and more boys want to get involved. One boy even turned up with a rugby ball in his hands for his interview.”
Davies, head of rugby since 1980 before handing over to Gold in 2008, was in charge when Sackey was in the side. The former England flyer, now with Harlequins, became the first full international to come out of John Fisher when he made his Test debut in 2006 against New Zealand. Like most of the boys joining the school, football and athletics had Sackey's fancy but he was won over by the enthusiasm of Davies and his rugby team. So much so, Sackey repaid his old mentor with a priceless piece of memorabilia– his Test debut jersey which is now proudly displayed in the school pavilion.
“A few days after he made his debut for England, Paul turned up at the school to give me his shirt. It's a very special item and it's a true testament to him as a person,” added Davies.
“I didn't think Paul would cut it at professional level to be honest because he wanted to play football. But once he got the chance he took it with both hands and has done exceptionally well for himself.
“He keeps coming back to the school to see the boys and even gave a team talk this year. He's great role model for the boys.”
