Tinsley hoping to create Schools’ Cup history

Campbell College captain Rex Tinsley, a key figure in the squad that won the Danske Bank Schools’ Cup last year, is hoping he can help the school retain the title for the first time since 1966, when they meet Methody in Monday’s showpiece at Kingspan Stadium (18th March, 3.00pm). "It would be such an achievement, bigger than last year," says Tinsley. "It's just the way the school's going at the moment. You can see really good teams coming through so we really want to push on and create a legacy." Tinsley’s journey to Schools’ Cup final captaincy is different to his predecessors, having started playing rugby in Bahrain, before moving to Campbell in Third Year to board. "I was born in Magherafelt, where my mum is from," he said. "We lived in County Kildare when I was younger and I went to primary school there, and then onto Bahrain. "I lived in the Middle East for seven years. Dad still works out there. That's where I started, playing touch rugby at Bahrain Rugby Club. There's only one rugby club and to play games we had to travel around the middle east to places like Dubai, Abu Dabi, Doha, playing tournaments once a month. "When I got to Campbell, it became a lot more serious so I just worked my way up. Here, we train three times a week and have a game on Saturdays. That has helped to develop my rugby a lot more.” Tinsley says that development has been accelerated by the high-level coaching ticket at Campbell. "They're fantastic, they have so much experience. Obviously, from last year, we're doing a lot of the same sort of stuff. Neil Doak is coming in once a week to do sessions and give us video feedback. He's in the pro game again (with Worcester Warriors) so it's great that he's still coming in and working with us. Johnny Cupitt and Brian Robinson are also brilliant, so we just try to act out everything they say." They certainly acted out the defensive plan effectively during the 12-10 semi-final against The Royal School, Armagh... "That's all credit to Brian Robinson - it's something he drives and something that we pride ourselves on. Even when we kick it away, we back our defence all the time and that's down to him." Despite that fine defensive display and some clinical attacking, there are plenty of work-ons ahead of the final, with ball retention central to their strategy for success. "We will just try to get more of the ball and attack a lot more. Credit to Armagh - they really pushed us, used the ball well, kicked it well and put us under pressure. We'll really try to improve our attack in the final; we hope to get a lot more of the ball and give it a good rattle against Methody." Coming up against the form side in the competition on Monday, Tinsley knows his side will face a difficult task. "We played them in a friendly in November. It was at our home and they beat us, but both teams were missing players. We looked at the video from that game but it's different sides now, we've improved a lot and they've improved a lot so it's a clean slate." With 12 players from the team involved in last year’s final, Tinsley says the experience could make a difference on Monday. "We want to use the experience to drive us forward. But it's a different team, different opportunities. For me, it was such a good experience (in the 2018 final) and I want the younger guys to get to have that as well." TICKETING INFORMATION Tickets for Monday’s game are available now at ulsterrugby.com/buytickets. Tickets will be also available to buy on the gate from 1.30pm on Monday, however, it is strongly advised that tickets are purchased online in advance, as lengthy queues are expected. Please note that transactions at the Mount Merrion Avenue Ticket Kiosk will be cash only.