Ulster Rugby v Benetton Rugby

DANSKE BANK ULSTER SCHOOLS’ RUGBY COMPETITIONS LAUNCHED The launch of the 2017/18 Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Rugby competitions took place at Kingspan Stadium on Monday afternoon.

In attendance were David McCann (Royal Belfast Academical Institution), Philip Jackson (Dromore High School) and Grace Shrestha (The Royal School Dungannon), representing last year’s Schools’ Cup, High Schools’ Trophy and Girls Schools’ Cup champions respectively. The draw for the opening two rounds of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup, the world’s second-oldest rugby competition, also took place in the presence of the 1st XV captains from each of the 33 participating schools. Last season, Michael Lowry led Royal Belfast Academical Institution to a 12-8 final victory over old rivals Methodist College, securing a historic three-in-a-row for the RBAI boys, their 32nd outright competition success. First won by The Royal School Armagh back in 1876, the Schools’ Cup has been competed for every year since, with 17 different schools having collected the famous cup, while Methodist College sit on top of the roll of honour with 35 outright titles. Speaking at the launch, IRFU Ulster Branch President Graffin Parke, commented: “The Schools’ Cup is one of the most prestigious competitions in the local rugby calendar and it is clear from the fantastic attendance at today’s draw that the appetite and anticipation for the forthcoming season is as strong as ever. “Along with the players and staff from each of the participating Schools’ Cup teams, we are delighted

to be joined by players from the reigning High Schools’ Trophy and Girls Schools’ Cup winners, representing the spectrum of activity across the provincial schools’ rugby programme. “Once again I would like to thank Danske Bank for their continued support – it is greatly appreciated and we look forward to working together during another exciting season of schools’ rugby in Ulster.” Lewis McCallan, Senior Corporate Banking Manager at Danske Bank added: “Our partnership with Ulster Schools’ rugby is hugely important to us. As a local bank, we are committed to making a positive contribution to the communities where our staff and customers live and work, and our partnership with Ulster Schools’ rugby allows us to do that. “This is our thirteenth year to support the Ulster Schools’ Cup and in this time we have seen how important the competition is in developing the talent of local young players, especially when we see players like Craig Gilroy, Luke Marshall and Jacob Stockdale come through the ranks of Schools’ Cup rugby and go on to play for Ulster and Ireland.” “We wish all the teams competing in this year’s competition the best of luck for the months’ ahead and are already looking forward to getting back to Kingspan Stadium on the 19th of March.” For further information, including the full draw for Rounds 1 and 2 of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup, visit www.ulsterrugby.com

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www. ULSTERRUGBY .com