TWENTY-FOUR Midlands schools are among the new entrants in a record entry for next season's Daily Mail Schools Cup competitions.

The Under-18 and Under-15 Cup competitions are already the largest schools rugby tournaments in the world and, with increasing interest, they have each attracted a record number of entrants for the 2004/05 season.

The Under-18 Cup has attracted 396 schools with 469 taking part in the Under-15 Cup.

First and second round losers in the cups will enter the Daily Mail Vase competitions at the respective age groups with the finals of all four competitions taking place at Twickenham.

Kineton High School will take its place for the first time in the Under-15 Cup.

The first rounds of both the Under-18 and Under-15 Cups are due to be played between September 13 and 19.

Prince Henry's (Evesham ) play host to KES (Camp Hill) in the first round of the Under-18 competition, while Kingham Hill School will entertain Worcester Sixth Form College. Chipping Campden School, meanwhile, visit Solihull Sixth Form College.

King Edward VI School (Stratford) are in first round action in the Under-15 Cup when they travel to North Bromsgrove HS.

Prince Henry's are also on the road with a trip to county rivals RGS Worc-ester but Chipping Campden will enjoy home advantage against King's School, Worcester.