RUGBY: Belfast rivals set to go head-to-head in St Patrick's Day Schools Cup showdown
Methodist College v Campbell College
Two of the big guns in Schools Cup rugby will meet on Thursday for the showpiece event in the calendar.
Methodist College Belfast will take on their city rivals Campbell College at the Kingspan Stadium on St Patrick's Day at 3pm, bidding to lift the coveted prize.
Methody hold the record for the most win in the competition, with 36 titles in 64 final appearances, while Campbell have been crowned the kingpins of Ulster Schools rugby 24 times in their history - third in the trophy table with only RBAI separating the two finalists with 32 wins of their own.
Methody knocked RBAI out of the competition this season with a superb 43-15 victory in the semi-finals. Joe Dickson (2), Ryan Kidd, Josh Stevens, Lorcan Hanratty and Liam Black all registered tries that day, with Ben McFarlane adding five conversions and a penalty.
Campbell came through their encounter with Lisburn's Wallace High, emerging 28-6 winners following tires from Matthew Booth, Henry Johnson, Zac Solomon and Oliver Topping - all of which were converted off the boot of Peter Caves.
The last time the final was played - in 2019 - it was the same two teams in action, with Methody coming out on top, beating Campbell 45-17.
The following year, the title was shared by Wallace and Royal School Armagh as Covid-19 took hold. The pandemic then meant the competition wasn't played at all.
Route to the Final: Campbell College Belfast
Round 4: 40-7 v Down High
Tries: Penalty Try, Cameron Hillis, Zac Soloman, Oliver McAuley, Matthew Rae, Lukas Kenny, Reece Bell
Pens: Oliver Topping
Quarter-Final: 26-8 vs Dromore High
Tries: Zac Soloman, Peter Caves, Darrah Hanlon x 2
Cons: Caves x 3
Semi-Final: 28-6 v Wallace High School (Kingspan Stadium)
Tries: Matthew Booth, Henry Johnson, Zac Solomon, Oliver Topping
Cons: Peter Caves x 4
Route to the Final: Methodist College Belfast
Round 4: 31-0 v Enniskillen RGS (Away)
Tries: Callum White, Josh McAdam, Josh Stevens, Joe Dickson, Ben McFarlane
Cons: McFarlane x 3
Quarter-Final: 21-6 v Ballyclare High School (Away)
Tries: Lorcan Hanratty, Chris Bradley
Cons: Ben McFarlane
Pens: McFarlane x 3
Semi-Final: 43-15 v RBAI (Kingspan Stadium)
Tries: Joe Dickson x 2, Ryan Kidd, Josh Stevens, Lorcan Hanratty, Liam Black
Cons: Ben McFarlane x 5
Pens: Ben McFarlane
TICKET INFO: Tickets must be bought online beforehand at: www.ulster.rugby/buytickets
PARKING: No parking will be available on-site during the game