Wales Rugby League are entering eight schools into the RFL Champion Schools national knock-outs, following the conclusion of the Welsh rounds.
Five of the teams come from one school, Cardiff’s Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf. They will represent Wales in the Year 7 boys, Year 8 boys, Year 8 girls, Year 9 boys and Year 10 girls competitions.
The other schools to qualify are Brynteg School from Bridgend (Year 10 boys), Monmouth Comprehensive School (Year 11 boys) and Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr from Cardiff (Year 11 girls).
Glantaf’s sports teacher, Rhydian Garner, who has been responsible for the rugby league teams in the school for over a decade, comments: “We have enjoyed an outstanding season in the Welsh Cup Rugby League Schools competition, with impressive performances across multiple age groups showcasing the depth of talent and the strong rugby league culture growing within the school. From dominant early-round victories to progression into national stages, this season will be remembered as one of real promise and achievement.
“It has been a fantastic season for Glantaf Rugby League, with success at every level and numerous players showing exciting potential for the future. The combination of skill, physicality, and teamwork across the squads reflects the hard work of players and staff alike, and the coming national fixtures promise to be another thrilling chapter in what is becoming a proud tradition for the school.”
None of the Welsh sides’ oppositions are known as yet, as some of the regional competitions are yet to be completed in England, but draws have been made.
Glantaf’s Year 7 boys side, who beat Ystalyfera 50-0 and West Mon 38-4 will travel to the north-west of England in the first round of the RFL play-offs, with the final of this competition to be played at Wembley Stadium before the women’s and men’s Challenge Cup Final.
Their year 8 side coincidentally also won 50-0 at Ystalyfera, before beating West Mon 42-16. They will now host a school from Yorkshire.
Their Year 9s, the reigning national champions from the 2025 Year 8 competition, lived up to their status, hosting West Mon in their final and progressing comfortably into the national rounds. They will also host a school from Cumbria in the last 16.
Glantaf’s Year 9 girls defeated Plasmawr 44–10 in the Welsh Final. They now look ahead to travelling to Leeds in May, hoping to go one better than last year’s narrow semi-final defeat and emulate the 2023 squad, who lifted the national title.
Plasmawr Year 10 girls went through as Wales only entrants. They will join Glantaf in Leeds in a festival. Both sides will play at an event in two groups made up of eight sides from around the country. The top two teams from the group will play against the other group in a semi-final fixture, with the finalists going on to finals day.
Brynteg beat West Mon 38-6 in the Welsh Year 10 final and their reward is to host a side from the North-West of England.
Monmouth Year 11 boys will travel to Cumbria to take on Enery Coast University Training College.
