TWO school rugby sides stand on the verge of reaching the quarter-finals of a national competition.

Teams from Royal Grammar School Worcester and Bishop of Hereford's Bluecoat School are both one victory away from a place in the last eight of the Daily Mail Under 18 and Under 15 Schools Cup respectively.

RGS Worcester host Adams GS, while Bishop of Hereford Bluecoat are at home to Wellingborough next Wednesday.

Gareth Hughes, master-in-charge of rugby at RGS, hopes to use inside knowledge to see off Adams GS dangerman Sam Cook in their sixth round tie, the furthest Worcester have ever been.

Cook was part of the North Midlands side coached by Hughes and the latter believes he knows all Cook's strengths and weaknesses.

"As an attacking player Sam is second to none and if we give him any space he is going to exploit it," Hughes said.

"Having coached him at county level I've seen what he can do to the opposition but there are possibly one or two question marks about his defence.

"I'm sure that we will be running into his channel and asking questions of him."

RGS have a Midlands player of their own in back-row forward Sam McDonald who has been selected in the 80-strong England 18-Group squad.

Centre Chris Pinner, hooker Simon James and prop Max Drew, son of former Worcester prop Paul, also played for North Midlands at 18-Group level and Hughes is confident he has a squad capable of reaching the quarter-finals for the first time.

Hughes added: "We have a good all-round side and we are at our best when we are playing 15-man rugby. I certainly think that we have a side that is capable of going further in the competition."

Bishop of Hereford's Bluecoat School have good reason to hope they can continue their run in the Daily Mail Under-15 Schools Cup.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of rugby at the state school and they have already planned a series of events, including a celebration match against North Midlands Under 16s followed by a reunion dinner on March 19.

A long cup run would add to the celebrations for Bishop's, who defeated Linton Village College from Cambridgeshire 10-0 in the fifth round.

Wellingborough have emerged as the surprise package of the competition, reaching the last 16 even though rugby is not played in the school until January.

Bishop's coach Steve Bradley said: "For them to get this far in a term when they play football suggests that we cannot take them lightly.

"I've done a bit of homework on them and I gather that they have a good set of backs but they might struggle with our pack."

The winners travel to face either Bradford GS or Durham School.

Bishop's also have back-row forward Liam Herbert and lock Oliver Skyrme in the Midlands squad for this weekend's 16-Group Schools Festival in Wolverhampton.