When the results are known from Saturday morning's matches the third round draw will take place, and joining the fray will be traditionally successful teams from, for instance, Methodist College and RBAI.
The games, which on Saturday will attract excited and big crowds and give players and coaches the opportunity to keep the dream of a St. Patrick's Day Final at Kingspan Stadium alive, will provide some upsets, and a real form guideline to the critical stages of the world's second oldest rugby tournament.
DANSKE BANK SCHOOLS' CUP ROUND 2
BRA v GROSVENOR GS (10.30am)
For Belfast Royal Academy this season has been one of rebuilding, a process under the expert guidance of former Ulster Head Coach Brian McLaughlin who's now the school's Director of Rugby.
One of schools' rugby's most accomplished and successful coaches Brian is assisted at First XV level by David Creighton, though McLaughlin's brief is a wide one. Brian has been involved in coaching players at every level throughout the school, setting structures in place and encouraging, mentoring and working with the coaches already involved with other BRA teams.
He will be hoping his work with the current BRA Firsts will bear some fruit in his first season in his new role, and he and David have a number of very talented players with which to work. Skipper Gareth McAdams has led by example throughout the season and has seen his team win some vital games against sides which will enter the Schools' Cup at a later stage.
Michael Wilson is a superb place kicker and scored quite a few tries, while Conor McAuley, Lewis Davidson and Conor O'Neill have been the top BRA try-scorers, and Grosvenor will have to keep a keen eye on these players. Matthew Dalton is another to make a real impact, and he's already attracted the attention of the Ireland Under 18 management team, and he could well be in line for a call-up to Ireland's U18 team at Easter.
Of the younger players Jude Cowley, Cormac McCracken and, in particular, Tom Gilpin have been identified by the Ulster scouting group, and they will be hoping their performances in this weekend's Schools' Cup will further enhance their reputations.
Grosvenor Grammar School has had a successful season, and though a relatively young team and the players have stuck to the philosophy of their coaching team of Gary Hunter and Andrew Gibson, to play attacking rugby at every opportunity. While many schools have been undone by that positive approach, even in games the team has lost the side's skill levels have impressed.
Firsts' captain Daniel Martin is an attack-minded full-back who, with other backs such as Mark Johnston, hard-running centre Jos McConkey and Chris Allen, has been amongst the tries.
Not that the try-scoring exploits of the team are restricted to the back division, for hard-working forwards such as James Cartlidge, Andrew Boyd and young No.8 Ben Davidson have been regularly crossing for five-pointers. Ben's ability was recognised when he played in the Ulster Schools' squad in a pre-season friendly against Connacht. All-in-all Grosvenor looks well-equipped to test BRA to the limit this weekend.
PORTADOWN COLLEGE v FRIENDS' (10.30am, Portadown RFC)
Portadown College's players will be considered firm favourites to progress to the third round three at the expense of visitors Friends' School, Lisburn, and whichever side prevails it will have started the tournament at the earliest stage.
A recent last-minute win over Friends', and a hard-earned first round win against Lurgan College, has instilled a great deal of self-belief, and coaches, Andrew Symington and Paul Heasley were delighted with qualification for this stage of the Schools' Cup.
Out-half and captain Michael Orr is a key decision-maker, central to the Portadown rally in the second half against Lurgan. Portadown's pack, with the impressive back-row trio of Jordan Taylor, James Wright and Stuart Hodgen, get through a lot of work at the breakdown, and that could be vital in exerting early superiority Friends' forwards.
Outside backs such as centres Matthew Neill and James Hewitt love to test opposition defences with their strong and direct running, and if the back-three of Ryan Daly, Peter McKeeman and Daniel Smyth play to their potential the Friends' defence could be in for a busy morning.
Friends' was made to work hard for its first-round win over a Wellington College team which might consider itself unfortunate not too have scored more than three points. But more of Friends' sound defence - and less ill-discipline than against Wellington - will be required to win at Portadown on the town's rugby club pitches.
Friends' victory at Wellington College came at something of a cost in terms of an ever-increasing injury list, and it could be a race against time for the Lisburn team to be at full strength. Coach Stephen Robinson, assisted by Norman Gamble, Ivor Monaghan and Peter Weir, will hope for a display good enough to deserve a place in the last 16.
Captain James Maxwell knows his team-mates will need to raise performance levels up another 'notch', and players such as David Stewart, David Newell, Curtis Dundas and George Pringle will need to be at their best, if available to play, for Friends' to progress.
BANGOR GS v LIMAVADY GS (11am)
The astute Jason Morgan, who guided the town's senior side to Cup success already this year, has prepared Bangor Grammar well for its entry into the Schools' Cup.
But recent positive results have been overshadowed somewhat by the loss of hard-working lock Christopher Goldthorpe to injury. Captained by Evan Wellard-McMillan Bangor has had a mixed bag of results this season, early games suggesting the squad was struggling for a consistency and individual players not quite fulfilling their promise.
However, since November the side has gone from strength to strength, finding that elusive consistency and players realising their potential in wins over Dalriada and Regent House, as well as a draw against a more-than-useful Wallace High School outfit. The top points-scorer is Zack Kerr, a very fine place-kicker who's also run in a number of tries this season.
Leading try-scorer Connor McKee has weighed in with 12 tries, while Lewis Brett and Matthew Agnew are hot on his heels. Agnew's qualities were spotted early, and he lined out for the Danske Bank Ulster Schools' team before he played for his school's 1st XV!
Lewis Brett is emerging as a very talented footballing out-half, continually asking questions of opposition defences, and his game management skills seem to be improving with every outing. Centre Charlie Blair is an abrasive and direct runner who has developed very strong defensive skills, while in the pack players such as strong-scrummaging prop Martin Withers and 6' 6" second-row Patty Eves stand out through sheer physical presence.
Limavady Grammar School came successfully through a tricky first-round Cup encounter at Cambridge House Grammar School under the floodlights at Eaton Park, digging deep in the final quarter of that game to secure the win.
Keeping focus for 70 minutes was one the aspects of coaches Chris Nash and Brian Hughes had been working on, having recognised that in early-season games the side would do well for three-quarters of the match only to fall away in the final quarter.
The coaches' hard work seemed to pay off in the first round, and more of the same will be required Limavady is to take anything away from Bangor on Saturday. Captain Mark Woods was central to the win at Cambridge House with his try scoring exploits, though it was the kicking skills of Jim McCartney which really caught the eye when he landed penalties and conversions from difficult angles on what was not an easy night for kickers.
Guratap Sandhu, David Mullan, Ethan Sherrard and James Scott are others who have showed up well recently, and Robbie Young, Jamie Young and Alistair McKee are Year 12 players who will bring a degree of youthful exuberance to the proceedings for an a fascinating tie.
REGENT HOUSE v PORTORA RS (11am)
Coached by Nick Gamble Regent House's coaching team also includes experienced 'hands' Mervyn Tweed, Paddy McGrath and Peter Lowry, but the side has had a mixed set of results this season, belying the quality in the playing squad.
Skipper Tom Arthur-Donnan leads the side from hooker, and either side of him in a formidable front row Ethan Bradley and Kyle Van Giesen. Kyle has caught the attention of the Ulster Schools' and Ireland U18 managements. The potential loss of 2nd second-row forward Matthew Foster to a leg injury could be a blow, but with Josh McFarland, Ryan McCarroll, Rory Jackson, Ali Deering and Josh Crossan to call upon the Bangor pack is still one to fear.
Deering has been among the top try-scorers this season, and top points-scorer Robbie Johnston has been watched by the Ulster Talent Identification unit, and he forms an effective half-back partnership with Adam Curry and these players will hope their pack provides serious sufficient amounts of quality possession.
If that happens Aaron May, Alex Hendrickse, Ryan Colwell, Matthew Stanex and David Jamison will be only too willing to ask the necessary questions of the Portora Royal defence.
Portora has proved to be a difficult team to beat, and coach Rhys Botha has the experienced Ashley Finlay assisting him in Enniskillen. Despite dealing having with a series of injuries coaches and players can look at their success rate with a great deal of satisfaction.
Younger players drafted in have really stepped up to the mark and this provides some real selection dilemmas. Captain Josh Kennedy, Connor Keys and Robert Baloucoune have been recognised by Ulster and Ireland Age Grade teams, Keys played with the Ulster Schools' U18s, and Baloucoune and Kennedy with the Under 19.
Matthew Dane and Jack Rutledge are two of the younger members of the Portora squad and have been among the top try-scorers, a list headed by Baloucoune, while Keys is the leading points-scorer.
Regent will have to be at its most alert to deny a talented Portora line-up.
FOYLE COLLEGE v ANTRIM GS (11am)
Foyle College and Antrim Grammar meet on Saturday morning knowing that the winners will have reached the third round after starting the competition from 'base camp'!
Foyle College has proved difficult to beat at home this season and success 'on the road' against Belfast High School, in the first round, testifies to what a competent side has been fashioned by coach, David Barnett, who is assisted by Ian Orr, the pair delighted with progress to this second round tie.
But nothing will be taken for granted against an Antrim Grammar side which won at Banbridge Academy in the first round. Matthew Orr has emerged as a key player, an effective try-scorer with ball-in-hand, and also an outstanding place-kicker.
Young No.8 Joel Smyth had an outstanding game in the first round game and will hope for another big performance to enhance his growing reputation. Reece Hughes, Matthew Alford, Thomas Cole, Cameron McCracken, Stephen Mills and Killene Thornton are other Foyle and Londonderry College players whose performances could be crucial.
Antrim Grammar travels to the north-west full of confidence following the win over Banbridge Academy in the first round, a result few outside of the Antrim squad and the coaching team of Robin McKenna, Mark Hermin and Michael Duncan anticipated.
The coaches shaped a fixture list appropriate for the Antrim GS squad ad, in turn, this has led to the development of a larger number of senior players and, hence, a great deal of competition for places on the starting 15.
Captain Daniel McGrandles leads his team with great aplomb, but has high expectations of all his players who have supported him fully this season. The Antrim Grammar School team has been involved in close encounters with Belfast High, Larne Grammar and Lurgan College, but that win at Banbridge Academy 'topped' everything - unless it once more causes an upset at Foyle!
JJ McKee, a member of the Ulster Schools' U18 squad, is a player to be watched and has been amongst the tries, as have Adam Johnston and McGrandles.
Foyle will also need to be aware of others in the Antrim panel, such as Josh Battishill, Andy Craig, Sam Gordon and Jack Francis, if there is not to be another upset in the Cup. Brothers John and Patrick Adair are vital members of the Antrim squad, and if the positive approach of the Firsts can be maintained it could make for a more-than-interesting encounter.
DALRIADA v OMAGH ACADEMY (11am)
Ballymoney's Dalriada School will stage one of the Schools' Cup second round's most attractive and intriguing ties when Omagh Academy arrives.
Bools have had successful friendly results, but have not met this season. Dalriada, coached by Rab Gregg and Benji van der Byl, has a very mobile pack, one which can produce quality set piece possession as well as quick ruck ball. Aaron Christie, Matthew Lockhart and Matthew Kernoghan are the experienced forwards, each playing in their third Schools' Cup campaigns.
Matthew Kernoghan is equally adept at playing in the hooker or blindside flanker positions, and Alan Montgomery has been involved with Ulster Age Grade squads over the past few seasons, his all-action style a great 'plus' to the team.
Captain Angus Johnston is Dalriada's top try and points-scorer, and he forms an astute half-back partnership with Matthew McConnaghie. Their aim will be to move the opposition around the park as there is power and pace aplenty in the Dalriada backline. Perhaps the jewel in the Dalriada back division crown is Stewart Moore who has scored many points this season through tries and his expert goal-kicking.
Omagh Academy team has had a really impressive season to date, and home or away in Ulster it has lost just a few games and fears no-one left in the Cup draw. Its adaptability means it can play a tight forward-dominated game or in more expansive style, moving the opposition around the pitch. Wins against teams such as Coleraine Grammar School and Down High School mark Dalriada down as a team with which to be reckoned.
Ross Hunter coaches, receiving wholehearted support from the evergreen Jackie Reid - a guru of forward play - and John Lagan. Captain Matthew Clyde has an all-action style which has reaped a harvest of many tries, while the boot of Kyle Beattie is responsible for vital points but it as an always improving out-half that he has caught the eye this season. James Longwell has been involved with the Ulster Schools' U17 squad while Glenn McKinley, a highly-rated tight-head prop, and Taine Lagan have both been involved with Ulster Schools' Age Grade squads.
RS ARMAGH v RAINEY ENDOWED (10.45am)
Royal School, Armagh, was one of six teams to win away from home when it defeated Larne Grammar School in the first round, and will be pleased to have home advantage for the tie with Rainey Endowed in the second round on Saturday morning.
Armagh was forced to work hard to come away from Larne with a win, and will have to work even harder to get past a very competent Rainey Endowed side. Coaches David Dougherty and Chris Parker have guided the Royal School to a number of impressive victories, notably against Coleraine Grammar.
Christopher Jennings, adept at full-back or wing, heads the try-scoring list with Matthew Reaney, like his father John before him, represented Ulster Schools earlier in the season. Captain Josh Agnew represented Ulster Schools' in the Inter-Provincial series in September, and is a cousin of the much-missed John McCall who lifted the Schools' Cup for the Royal School in 2004.
James McSorley was a member of the Ulster Schools' U18 squad, while top points-scorer Michael Reaney, as has Jack Cairns, was involved with the Ulster Schools' U17 squad. The Royal School will see the Cup game with Rainey Endowed as an opportunity to use its batch of talented youngsters to launch its season.
The journey to College Hill will hold little fear for Rainey, as on a recent friendly visit the Magherafelt side emerge convincing winners, and that should make it favourites to proceed to the third round. Rainey coach Chris Campbell, who is assisted by Peter Boyle and Stu McCalmont, has put together a formidable squad of talented players which has been beaten just twice this season.
Skipper Andrew Browne leads from the front, and in gifted players such as Lorcan Quinn and Anton Lupari he has attack-minded colleagues. Lupari is an Ulster U19 player, and is a ball-playing forward who can play in both the front and back rows and is among the leading try-scorers.
Quinn too has scored several tries, but it is his success with the boot that has made him leading points-scorer for Rainey. Lorcan, like his team-mates Adam Hunter, Mark Mulholland and Michael Lynn, is not just a talented rugby player but has demonstrated his sporting talents in the Derry Minor GAA side.
Year 12 players keen to impress in the Cup include David Atkinson, Matthew Smyth and Adam Thornton, each of whom has successfully made the step-up to the Rainey Endowed 1st XV.
BALLYCLARE HS v RS DUNGANNON (11am)
Ballyclare High School's Director of Rugby and 1st XV coach Michael McKeever hoped the pre-season tour to New Zealand and Australia would lay the foundations for a successful domestic season.
In many ways it did, but a number of injuries to key players ensured that results have not been as positive at 1st XV level. Michael and his assistant coaches Gary Clotworthy and Ulster prop Ricky Lutton, a former pupil of the school, see the Schools' Cup campaign as an opportunity for the Ballyclare to move forward.
Captain Ryan McIlwaine's progress has been monitored by Ulster Rugby, he is the leading points-scorer and always leads by example. Ballyclare has scored many tries this season, mainly from with players such as Alistair Burke, Dean Jones and Andrew Seymour. Burke was involved with the Ulster Schools' squad as a second-row forward, while Jack Magee has been in Age Grade representative squads.
Jack Lewis, Owen Kirk, Zachary McMurran and Jack Blair have been involved with Regional Age Grade squads and they will be hoping for a successful Cup run to enhance their own chances of attaining even higher honours. Young forwards such as Adam McConkey and James Nelson have successfully made the transition from junior to senior rugby, while Jake McVicker has worked hard to develop as a strong-running centre.
Royal School, Dungannon, was the only side to win at home when, in the first round, it defeated a very hardworking Carrickfergus Grammar School team, a match won despite losing two key players to minor injuries just prior to kick-off.
Coach Gareth McClintock is assisted by Gareth Lucas and Jason Hunniford and they'll be hoping to select from a full-strength and fit squad for the trip to Ballyclare. The Royal School coaches made it clear to their players that they did not want to be in the position of having to defend their Danske Bank Ulster Schools' Trophy, having won it for the previous two seasons!
The targets set were firmly on the Schools' Cup itself, and at least a second round place! That was achieved, and with something to spare, but coaches and players know that now the level of performance must be taken to an entirely different level if the last 16 is to be reached. The team went to Portugal to prepare for its Schools' Cup campaign, to work on individual and unit skills, tactical awareness and the strength and conditioning aspects of the game. The hard work obviously paid dividends in the game against Carrickfergus.
Captain Peter Doran brings a wealth of representative experience to the team, he was a key member of the Ulster U19 squad and is looking forward to being involved with the next Ulster U20 panel. He was joined in the U19s by hooker David Hooper, and the pair work well in tandem. Joseph Cashel, Aaron Perry and Josh Fegan have been amongst the tries this season, with Aaron kicking many points with his trusty place-kicking.
There are a number of emerging players who have caught the eye, including Josh Patton, the Year 12 No.8, and a nephew of Keith Patton, the former RS Dungannon, Ulster and Ireland Schools' Coach. Also in the 'Royal' back-row is Calvin Nelson, a young player renowned for his tenacious tackling.
All these players took leading roles in the game with Carrickfergus Grammar, and they'll be hoping to have the same positive influence on the outcome at Ballyclare.
DANSKE BANK SCHOOLS' TROPHY QUARTER-FINALS
There was one Danske Bank Ulster Schools' Trophy game quarter-final tie played today (Friday), when Cambridge House Grammar School took on Strabane Academy.
On Saturday morning the three remaining Trophy quarter-finals will be played:
Carrickfergus GS v Larne GS,10.30am
Wellington College v Banbridge Academy, 10.30am
Belfast HS v Lurgan College, 10.30am
