Banbridge Academy v Sullivan Upper
Sunday 26 January, kick-off 2.00pm, Kingspan Stadium
Banbridge finished the top of their group with 3 wins from 3, finishing up the group stages with a convincing 28-3 win over Omagh Academy. They will be going up against Sullivan Upper, one of the six seeded schools who join the competition at this stage. Last year Sullivan made it to the semi-final, being knocked out by Ballymena Academy. This year they will be hoping to take it one stage further. This fixture will the curtain-opener of this weekend’s game against Zebre in Kingspan Stadium. Players to watch are Banbridge’s Ryan Hanna, Noah Bell, Noah Haughey, Andrew Jackson and Sullivan’s Jake Scott, Nathan Noble and Matthew McGinty who all featured in our Age-Grade Summer Interpros. Noble captained the winning U18 Schools side.
Bangor Grammar v Rainey Endowed School
Saturday 25 January, kick-off 10.30, Bangor Grammar School
An interesting fixture of the draw, these two schools have already came up against each other in the group stages, with Rainey coming out on top 40-0. Rainey had an impressive run, with three-bonus point wins, however Bangor were just behind them with two. Bangor will be hoping to redeem themselves.
Dalriada School v Ballymena Academy
Saturday 25 January, kick-off 10.45, Dalriada School
Somewhat of a local derby, Dalriada School play host to Ballymena Academy. Dalriada finished second in their group just behind Banbridge. Ballymena Academy were one of our finalists last year, falling just short. They will be out to return this year.
Coleraine Grammar School v Regent House School
Saturday 25 January, kick-off 10.45, Coleraine Grammar School
Coleraine Grammar will welcome Regent House this Saturday. Finishing second in their group, they had convincing wins over Bangor Academy and in the last round, beat local rivals, Foyle College 26-15. Regent House came first in their group with 15 points, with an impressive victory over Lurgan College in the last round, 15-55.
Methodist College Belfast v Belfast Royal Academy
Saturday 25 January, kick-off 10.30, The Enclosure
Our first of two Belfast derbies this weekend will take place at The Enclosure. Methodist College, a seeded school, will welcome Belfast Royal Academy and will battle it out for a quarter-final spot. Belfast Royal Academy have had an impressive run in the competition so far, walking away from the group stages top of their table with three bonus-point wins under their belt. In the last stage, they had a convincing victory over Antrim Grammar, 40-0.
Campbell College Belfast v Royal Belfast Academical Institution
Saturday 25 January, kick-off 10.30am, Foxes Field
The second of our Belfast derbies this weekend will take place at Foxes Field. No strangers to each other, Campbell College and RBAI will be battling it out for that quarter-final spot, having come up against each other in the same stage of the competition last year. Our current Schools’ Cup holders, RBAI will be seeking to make it three wins in a row in this year’s competition.
Royal School Armagh v Down High School
Saturday 25 January, kick-off 10.30, RS Armagh
Finishing top of their group with three bonus-point wins from three, Royal School Armagh will welcome Down High School in this knockout game. Down High School finished second in their group behind Regent House, beating Ballyclare High School 33-27 in the last round to earn their spot in this stage.
Enniskillen Royal Grammar v Wallace High School
Saturday 25 January, kick-off 10.30, Enniskillen Royal GS
Enniskillen RGS topped the table of their group, finishing with three bonus-point wins. In the ultimate group stage, they had an immense victory over Bangor Academy, finishing up 40-0. They play host to another one of our seeded schools, Wallace High School. Wallace made it to the semi-finals but fell short to last year’s winners, RBAI.