Schools’ Cup: In last-16 topped off by rematch of 2023 Final foes RBAI and Campbell College, who will reign supreme and advance to Quarter-Finals?

RBAI v Campbell College (10.30am)

Undoubtedly the tie of the round as 2023’s Finalists meet in this year’s last-16, the luck of the draw favouring only the neutral spectator.

The home side, the defending champions, have some extremely talented players in the likes of Fraser Cunningham, Josh Gibson and Blake McClean at their disposal, but Campbell will retaliate with a powerful pack led by Callum McKinney.

Revenge will be a big motivator for Campbell, but the holders have home advantage which makes this an unmissable encounter.

Verdict: RBAI

Rainey Endowed v Methodist College (10.45am)

Methody have really stepped up their preparations for 2024’s Schools’ Cup, with games against the prestigious Paul Roos Gymnasium and Portugal’s Under-19s, and led by the impressive Tyrese Abolarin, they are primed for a push to Ravenhill.

Rainey hammered Foyle College to make it into the draw for the last-16 and have been rewarded with a home draw as a result, but this looks to be a comfortable win for the trophy-chasing visitors.

Verdict: Methodist College

Portadown College v Banbridge Academy (10.30am)

A rare non-Belfast derby in the Schools’ Cup, or as close to one as these two schools can get, and one that should be fairly closely contested.

Conor Magee should be one to watch for the visitors, his performances earning him Ireland Under-18 honours, and it feels like the visitors are well-placed to reach the Quarter-Finals. They will, however, be pushed all the way by a Portadown College side who have shown up well in their preparations.

Verdict: Banbridge Academy

Wallace High v Royal School Armagh (10.30am)

Were it not for the big game taking place in Belfast, this could easily be the tie of the round and may still prove to be in what is a rematch of the 2020 Final showpiece that was cancelled due to Covid.

Wallace have home advantage and will rely on Quinn Armstrong and the power of dominant tighthead prop Rio McDonagh, but Armagh have already racked up some big results having come through the group stages, including running five tries past Lurgan College in their final game, with Thomas Dougan their stand-out.

Another that should be closely contested, home advantage may once again be the decisive factor.

Verdict: Wallace High

Sullivan Upper v Larne Grammar (10.30am)

An infrequent foray into the last-16 for Larne Grammar, who finished runners-up in their group but impressively saw off Royal School Dungannon to earn a plum draw at Sullivan Upper.

The Holywood school are looking to end a 10-year wait for a return to the Final, their last visit the only one in the school’s history, and they will hope they can kick off that bid in a positive fashion on Saturday morning.

Verdict: Sullivan Upper

Belfast Royal Academy v Ballymena Academy (10.30am)

Belfast Royal Academy haven’t been to the Final of the Schools’ Cup since 2010, but there is a real feeling within the school that 2024 could be the year that that changes.

With scrum-half Connor McVicker pulling the strings, the home side are dark horses after easily topping their group, and it is something of a shame that they will come up against a strong Ballymena Academy team in a repeat of that 2010 Final so early in the competition.

The Braid school also have designs on winning the competition in 2024, particularly with Ulster trio Luke Marshall, Alan O’Connor and Andy Warwick on their coaching staff, and this one is too close to call.

Verdict: BRA

Regent House v Dromore High School (10.30am)

Is 2024 the year that Dromore High finally break their Ravenhill duck and make their way into Ulster Rugby HQ for at least a Semi-Final?

With Ireland Under-18 international Matthew Heasley among their star names, the Co Down school will hope they have it in them to make it into last-eight and one step away from a trip to Belfast.

Standing in their way are Regent, who are riding the high of edging out Dalriada in the group stages to book safe passage into the last-16 and into what will surely be another very hotly contested clash in Newtownards.

Verdict: Dromore High

Enniskillen Royal Grammar v Friends’ School (11.15am)

All eyes will be on Enniskillen at around 1pm when the draw for the Quarter-Finals are made, but first comes a game that could be a tight affair between two sides who performed admirably in the group stages.

Both teams had to overcome Schools’ Cup stalwarts to qualify for the last-16, Enniskillen Royal Grammar holding off Omagh Academy in their deciding tie while Friends’ were similarly impressive to defeat Down High to top their pool.

With this being the last of the eight ties to reach a conclusion, it would take a brave man to bet on whose name will be the final one to enter the hat.

Verdict: Enniskillen Royal Grammar

The draw for the Quarter-Finals will be held at Enniskillen Royal Grammar at the conclusion of the eight games.