A FANTASTIC season has helped raise the profile of rugby at Monmouth School nationally.

There is now considerable interest in the final stages of the Daily Mail’s Schools Rugby Trophy as the School currently lies in fourth position.

Monmouth School’s 1st XV is currently unbeaten in the competition, after a momentous victory against Millfield on Saturday saw them score 10-8.

The only try was made by Milan Wagner three minutes into the game and the winning penalty and conversion were made by Tom Starkey.

Even better, Saturday saw the School win each of its fixtures at home against Millfield for the first time, with all five teams emerging victorious.

The 2nd XV won with a score of 24-17, the 3rd XV’s game ended at 40-19, the U15A team won with 26-17 and the U15Bs managed 15-12.

John Bevan, Master of Rugby at Monmouth School and former British Lion, said: “This was the match we were determined to win.

“There was huge build-up to it with all the coverage leading up to it and the boys played magnificently.

“The defense was rock solid throughout the match and we had a deserved win, although it was very close and could have gone either way.”

Also from the five team shortlist, Monmouth School are the Fifteen Rugby School Team of the Month for November.

It was a close run thing but victories over both Millfield and Bromsgrove, both tight gritty affairs, were enough to see Monmouth just clinch the prize.

Ultimately though Monmouth’s month has just been incredibly successful, they have won all of their games and beaten two of the best teams in the country within that. Their NatWest Cup fixture on Wednesday against Stowe ought to be a true schools rugby classic.

For more information about Monmouth School, visit monmouthschool.org and follow @habsmonmouth on Twitter