The Danske Bank Ulster Schools' Cup Quarter-Final draw has thrown up four very intriguing games and none more so than the first game out of the hat - the game involving Campbell College Belfast and Methodist College Belfast. These two schools have Ulster Schools' Cup pedigrees second to none and there is sure to be a large crowd in attendance at Fox's Field on Saturday morning.

Campbell College v Methodist College (Fox’s Field, kick off 10.30am)

The Campbell College squad contains a star studded group of players that include some physically imposing players as the Friends’ team discovered, to their cost when the teams met in the 3^rd Round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup. There are Ulster Schools’ U18 players littered throughout the squad as well as a number of players whose performances will be closely monitored by the Ireland U18 Management team. The Campbell team will see themselves as clear and firm favourites to progress to the semi-finals as they prepare to play against their old rivals from Methodist College in the quarter-finals of the competition. Team coach, Brian Robinson, who is assisted by Jonny Cupitt, is obviously aware of the very talented group of players he has at his disposal.

Team captain and hooker, James Boyle, leads his team from the front. He has been involved with Ulster Schools’ training squads and both props either side of him have been as well. Loosehead prop, Matthew Russell, has been with the Ulster Schools’ training squad while Tom O’Toole, on the tighthead side, has been involved with the Ulster Schools’ Ulster U18 team as well as with the recent Ireland U18 Camps. Second Row, James Nelson, featured with the Ulster Schools’ U18 team earlier in the season and is joined by Marcus Collim another talented Campbell College player being monitored by the Ulster Rugby Talent ID Department. Backrow players, flankers Matthew and John Crowther, and No 8, Jack-Barry Glendinning, have all been involved with Ulster Schools’ U18 teams. Matthew and John Crowther are sons of Sean Crowther, former Bangor Grammar School flanker who toured Zimbabwe with the all-conquering Ulster Schools’ team in 1988. Malcolm Corry, Jonny Haldane, Paddy Beverland, Ben Webb, Matt Russell, Oscar Yandell and Jack Howard are players in a very talented Campbell College backline who love to get a chance to run with the ball at every conceivable opportunity. John Crowther, James Nelson, Jack Howard, Bern Webb, Paddy Beverland and Jonny Haldane were among the try scorers for the Campbell College team in their Round 3 victory against Friends’. They will all be looking for further opportunities to repeat their try scoring feats on Saturday. Malcolm Corry is a first rate place kicker who will take full advantage of any opposition indiscretions. Methody will need to be disciplined for the entire duration of the game against Campbell.

The Methodist College team had to work hard before they were able to overcome the challenge provided by a very committed Rainey Endowed School team in the 3^rd Round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup. Having got that hurdle out of the way the full focus of the Methody players and coaches will be on their enticing quarter-final clash with Campbell College. It has been an indifferent season in terms of results for the Methody team but recent wins against Wallace High School, the Portugal U19 team as well as Christian Brother’s College, would suggest the team might be hitting more consistent form, at just the right time. No Methodist College team should ever be written off when it comes to Ulster Schools’ Cup time. Coaches, Nicky Wells and Stephen Lindsay, have accumulated a wealth of successes over the years and it is the experience of these men who can turn around what has been, at times, a difficult season for the Methody team.

Despite a mixed set of results in the course of the first term the MCB team will be well prepared to take on a more than competent Campbell College team. With players such as Josh Jordan and team captain, Zac Jordan, both Ireland U19 hopefuls, available for selection there is no shortage of talented players in the ranks. Zac Jordan, Cameron Kelly and Kane Doherty have been among the leading try scorers this season and they will be eager to score more in the course of their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup campaign. Zac and Cameron were try scorers in their game against the Rainey Endowed School team. Jonny Jordan and Paul Kerr form a more than useful half back combination. If these two are playing well, the Methody team generally functions well. There is a wide range of talent in the background to some of the Methody players. Josh Jordan was an Ireland Schools’ Hammer champion back in 2012 while the Cairn’s brothers, Oliver and Alex’s mum, Cathy, was a Northern Ireland record holder in the Heptathlon and represented the GB and NI team at international level. These brothers are fine players on the rugby pitch with Alex scoring a try against the Rainey team. How he would hope for a repeat of that on Saturday. The entire Methodist College squad will be keen to put the disappointing aspects of the current season behind them and will concentrate on the confidence their recent successes will have given them. The players will see their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ quarter-final game against Campbell College as a great challenge and a challenge from which no Methodist College player will shirk.

Ballymena Academy v Belfast Royal Academy (Ballymena Academy pitches, kick off 10.45am)

Ballymena Academy had a lot of work to do before they were able to overcome the challenge of a young Wallace High School team in the 3^rd Round. That victory will have given Ballymena a great deal of confidence as they prepare to host Belfast Royal Academy in the quarter-final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup.
The experienced Ballymena Academy coaching staff off John Andrews and Gavin Murray, who are assisted by Aaron Moore and Ryan Keating, would see their team as having had a good season so far. However, a recent victory against MCB, as well as the Schools’ Cup win against Wallace High School, was needed as it offset earlier defeats against Campbell College and Wallace High School. They have a strong pack of forwards from which to select. Alexander Clarke, a member of last season’s Ireland U18 FIRA squad, is a key player in the pack. Alexander is still eligible for the Ireland U18 squad this season. Jonny McKeown, also a member of the 2015 FIRA squad, is joined by team captain, Marcus Rea, in a dynamic Ballymena Academy back row. Marcus was also captain of the Ulster U19 team. Both these players will have their performances in the cup campaign closely monitored by the Ireland U19 Management team. Jonny gives great support in terms of leadership to Marcus and, as Head Boy, is in a prime position to do so. Both these players, alongside Alexander Clarke, were outstanding in their last outing. Josh Bill, another member of the Ulster U19 squad, is another player who is important to the Ballymena Academy pack.

These three players will be playing in their 3^rd Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup campaign. David Forsythe, the Ballymena loosehead prop, has currently played thirty six consecutive games, over two seasons, for his team. Azur Allison was involved with the Ulster U18 squad. The Ballymena backline has a number of players who can work well with the ball in hand given the right conditions. Michael Stronge is an emerging scrumhalf who has the ability to influence the outcome of games. He has already featured with the Ulster U19 team despite being two years young. His halfback partner, Bruce Houston, is very young but has a mature head on his shoulders. He has scored over 120 points for the team this season. He was very accurate with his boot against Wallace. There is an abundance of pace in the wider channels with players such as Angus Kernohan, another Ulster Age-Grade player, Conor Cosgrove, Ryan McKee and Alan Small all willing to take on the opposition defenders. Mark Thompson, another attendee at the recent Ireland U18 Camp, is an exciting prospect at fullback on the Ballymena team. All of these players have scored tries for Ballymena Academy this season and will need to be closely monitored by the Belfast Royal Academy defence.

The Belfast Royal Academy team will have taken a great deal of confidence from their 3^rd Round victory over Down High School. They had been beaten earlier in the season by the same opposition and that victory is a mark of just how much the Belfast Royal Academy squad has improved in recent weeks. They had to travel to Downpatrick without a number of first team regulars who were unavailable due to injury. Director of Rugby at BRA, Brian McLaughlin, was delighted with the outcome but will now have set his eyes firmly on the game in Ballymena. In tandem with first team coach, David Creighton, Brian will be plotting the route for the team into the semi-final draw. These men will be aware, as well as appreciative, of the strengths of the Ballymena Academy team, but no stone will be left unturned as they plot the downfall of one of the teams favoured to win the competition.

Team captain, Gareth McAdams, has led by example in games throughout the season and nowhere more so than in the games against Grosvenor Grammar School and Down High School. Gareth has some key players to call upon as his team sets out looking for further success in this Schools’ Cup match against Ballymena Academy. Michael Wilson has notched up a lot of points for the BRA team already this season. He is a superb place kicker, who kicked three first half penalties, one first half conversion, a second half conversion as well as a second half penalty to secure sixteen vital points for his team in their Round 2 game against Grosvenor Grammar School as well as two vital penalties and one conversion against Down High School. Michael has scored quite a few tries as well in the course of the current season. Conor McAuley, Lewis Davidson and Conor O’Neill have been the top try scorers for the BRA team and the Ballymena Academy team will have to monitor these three players closely.

?Jack Burton, Jay McCrum and Francis Collins are other renowned finishers in the ranks of the BRA team as is Tim Robinson who touched down for a try in the 3rd Round game. Conor McAuley and Matthew Dalton have gained experience working with Ulster Age-Grade teams earlier in the season and, such has been Matthew’s progress, he has attracted the attention of the Ireland U18 Management team. A recent involvement with the National U18 Camp, puts Matthew in line for selection for the Ireland U18 team at Easter. Some of the younger players on the BRA team have attracted the attention of the Talent ID Department at Ulster Rugby. Jude Cowley, Cormac McCracken and, in particular, Tom Gilpin have emerged as young players who have displayed a lot of potential. They will be hoping their performances in this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup quarter-final match will further enhance their considerable potential.

Dalriada v Bangor Grammar School (Dalriada pitches, kick off 10.30am)

Dalriada have come through two difficult encounters in earlier rounds to deservedly secure their place in the quarter-finals of the Schools’ Cup. Having defeated a very good Omagh Academy team, at home, in the second round they were then on the road to the Maiden City where they defeated a very spirited Foyle and Londonderry College team in the third round. They will be pleased to be at home against Bangor Grammar School in the quarter-final. Dalriada School coach, Rab Gregg, who is assisted by the experienced Benji Van Der Byl, was delighted with the positive manner his team came through their first two rounds. They have a very mobile pack of forwards that can produce quality set piece possession as well quick ruck ball. Aaron Christie, Matthew Lockhart and Matthew Kernoghan are the experienced players in the pack with each of them playing in their third Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup campaign. Matthew Kernoghan, son of former Ulster Schools’, Ireland Schools and Ireland U21’s hooker, Richard, is equally adept at playing in the hooker or blindside flanker positions and he brings a great deal to the Dalriada pack with his flexibility. Alan Montgomery has been involved with Ulster Age-Grade squads over the past few seasons and his all action style is greatly appreciated by his team mates as are his try scoring exploits. Team captain, Angus Johnston, is the top try and points scorer for the Dalriada team.

?Angus forms an astute halfback partnership with Matthew McConnaghie and their aim will be to move the opposition around the park. When the Dalriada pack established early dominance against the Omagh Academy pack in their 2nd Round game it was Angus and Matthew who controlled the game at that stage. There is power and pace aplenty in the Dalriada back line. Their direct lines of running and pace of attack have caused problems for opposition defences all season. Ross Fallows and Thomas Hunter, as well as being talented rugby players, are talented athletes. Perhaps the jewel in the Dalriada back division crown is Stewart Moore. Stewart is a very talented rugby player who has scored many points this season through tries and goal kicks. Stewart was successful with three out of four conversion kicks against Omagh Academy and four out of five against Foyle and Londonderry College. He is another player who is being closely monitored by the Ulster Rugby Talent ID Department. Stewart has had a fine Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup campaign so far and he will be out to further impress in this game against Bangor Grammar School.

Bangor’s experience of winning “on the road” against a very competent Ballyclare High School team will give them a great deal of confidence as they prepare for another away game, this time against Dalriada. Having defeated them earlier in the season the Bangor players could see themselves as favourites to win this game. They will travel to Dalriada for their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup quarter-final game secure in the knowledge they have an almost fully fit squad of senior players to select from. However, they will still be missing the services of their talented 2^nd Row forward, Christopher Goldthorpe, who picked up a leg injury prior to the Schools’ Cup campaign starting. Having said that, credit must be given to Bryn Crawford who has successfully stepped into the second row position vacated by Christopher. The Bangor Grammar team struggled somewhat in the early stages of the season to find form and real consistency in their performances. However, the team, coached by Jason Morgan and captained by Evan Wellard-McMillan, their hard working loosehead prop, has seen results improve dramatically since November. They seem to have found an appropriate level of consistency with their performances and this has been rewarded with wins against teams such as Dalriada, their opponents on Saturday, and Regent as well as a draw against a more than useful Wallace High School team.

The top scorer for the Bangor GS team is Zack Kerr who is also a very fine place kicker. Zack has rugby genes aplenty running through him. His father, Chris, a former Bangor Grammar School prop, was another member of the all-conquering Ulster Schools’ team that toured in Zimbabwe in 1988. Zack is a nephew of Mark McCall who learnt his trade playing in the same position for the same school. Zack has also scored a number of tries this season including one against Ballyclare High School in the last round. Top try scorer is Connor McKee who weighs in with thirteen to his name including a vital try in the second half against Ballyclare High School in the previous round. Lewis Brett and Matthew Agnew both come a close second in the try scoring stakes. Matthew is a young player who is academically gifted as well. ?He acquired ten A* grades in his recent GCSE Examinations and actually played for the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ team before he played for the Bangor Grammar School 1st XV! His two tries in the first half against Limavady Grammar School in the second round bear witness to his talents as a rugby player. Lewis Brett is emerging as a very talented footballing outhalf and one who continually asks questions of opposition defences. His game management skills seem to be improving with every recent outing. His goal kicking is top quality as well and he, along with Zack Kerr, will be only too happy to punish any Ballyclare High School indiscretions.

Centre, Charlie Blair, will have no shortage of advice from within his own family when it comes to Schools’ Cup time. His two older brothers went through the school and played in a number of Schools’ Cup matches. Charlie, who scored two second half tries in the game against Limavady Grammar School, is an abrasive and direct runner who has developed very strong defensive skills as well. He brings leadership skills to the Bangor GS backline as well. In the Bangor pack, players such as prop, Martin Withers, and second row, Patty Eves, stand out because of their sheer physical presence. Martin is a 122kg, strong scrummaging prop forward who is more than effective with the ball in hand while Patty is a towering 6’ 6” second row forward who has been described as having a great engine. Both these players will be hoping to be involved in a continued successful Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup run in the hope their talents might be recognized by the Ulster Schools’ Management team.

RBAI V Sullivan Upper (Osbourne Park, kick off 11.00am)

Royal Belfast Academical Institution, the current holders of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup, will, in all likelihood, see themselves as favourites to progress to the semi-finals of the competition when they host Sullivan Upper on Saturday. The Belfast Inst team dispatched Coleraine Grammar School, in the 3rd Round of the competition, with something to spare. The foundation for the success of the team on that occasion was laid by the strength of the Royal Belfast Academical Institution pack with players such as Callum Reid and John Dickson putting in big performances at scrum time. Backrow player, Charlie Cloke, put on a “Man of the Match” performance against Coleraine Grammar School and he will be determined to put on a repeat performance on Saturday.

However, Director of Rugby at RBAI, Dan Soper, who is assisted by the experienced Richard Hedley, will be working hard to ensure his charges do not take their responsibilities lightly as they prepare for the game against Sullivan Upper School. A comprehensive 27-7 victory, earlier in the season, against the same opposition has put the Belfast Inst team firmly down as favourites to win this game. These men seemed to have ensured their young charges have hit the right form at just the right time of the season. Returning from Cork with a win against the Presentation Brother’s College, Cork team as well as a victory against the English giants from Ivybridge College and their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup win against Coleraine Grammar School would appear to bear witness to that. The return to action of Conor Field, the RBAI captain, has been a major boost to the team and he has scored a number of tries since his return including two in the last round. The Belfast Inst team had Callum Reid and James Hume in attendance at the recent Ireland U18 Camp.

These players are key players in the RBAI set up but there are many other talented players available to the coaching staff. In the pack players such as John Dickson and Neil Saulters experienced success last season and will want more this season. Rhys O’Donnell and Michael Lowry, a Schools’ U18 squad member, form a more than effective half back partnership but both have had more than their fair share of injuries in the course of the current season. Dan Soper and Richard Hedley, along with team manager, Andrew Douglas, will be hoping they remain injury free. Sam Fryers and Joe Finnegan are other key members of an attack minded Royal Belfast Academical Institution back division and players the Sullivan defence will need to monitor closely on Saturday.

Sullivan Upper deserved their 14-0 victory against Regent House when the teams met in the 3^rd Round of the Ulster Schools’ Cup but it was a positive result that came at something of a cost. Senior team coach, Willie Anderson, took ill on the touchline before the game got underway. Then, team captain, Chris Jordan, having just scored a try, had to leave the field of play with a serious leg injury. It is good to note that both Willie and Chris are now on the way to recovery. These setbacks will, in all likelihood, have galvanised the Sullivan Upper squad as they prepare for and look forward to the game against the RBAI team. The Sullivan Upper team, on their day, has the ability to cause problems for any other school team in the Province. Willie Anderson has the assistance of Lawrence Kerr, as well as the management skills of Stephen Finlay, to call upon in his possible absence from some of the preparation sessions for this game. The Sullivan team has had to deal with the impact of a range of long term injuries since September.

Their results have not been what they would have hoped for but a number of younger players have gained a great deal of experience when called upon to play in place of some of the more established members of the squad.
With most players, apart from Chris Jordan, now available for selection the positive development of some of the younger players could provide challenges for the Sullivan Upper management when it comes to making final selection decisions for their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup quarter-final encounter with Belfast Inst. In the very talented Sullivan Upper back division there are a few players who have achieved representative honours. Jonny Betts is playing in his third Schools’ Cup campaign. He played with the Ulster U19 squad earlier in the season and Lewis Smyth had his talents recognized by the Age-Grade system as well. Jules Storey is one of the leading try scorers for the Sullivan team and he has benefitted from the talents of inside backs such as Ruari Meharg, Rory Kilpatrick and Matty Moran. Rory has been an outstanding place kicker for Sullivan this season and any ill-discipline from the Belfast Inst team will be severely punished by Rory if he gets the chance. He was successful with both conversion kicks against Regent House. Jake Stevenson scored a try in his last Schools’ Cup outing against Regent, and will be looking for more on Saturday. The Sullivan Upper pack is a very mobile unit and the players have the ability to play positive rugby. They are a good scrummaging unit and clever lineout operators. Steven Moore, Peter Baker and George Chittick form a formidable backrow trio and in Luke Coulter they have a young forward who has drawn the attention of the Ulster Talent ID Department with his standout performances this season. This game will provide Luke with the opportunity to further enhance his reputation. Willie Anderson, and his coaching staff, will want the Sullivan Upper team to approach this game with a positive frame of mind. He will want to see his young charges play the game in a positive manner and go out to enjoy themselves in an effort to emulate the Sullivan Upper Class of 2014.

Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield Quarter-Finals: Saturday 20^th February, 10.30am

Down High School v Ballyclare High School
Rainey Endowed School v Regent House School
Wallace High School v Friends’ School, Lisburn
Foyle and Londonderry College v Coleraine Grammar School

Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl Semi-Final: Saturday 20th February

Omagh Academy v Grosvenor Grammar School (10.30am)
Portora Royal School v Royal School, Armagh (11.00am)

Danske Bank Ulster Schools' Cup Quarter-Final Previews: Saturday 20th February

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