Ulster Schools Cup:With six schools through from the second round, the Northern Bank Ulster Schools Cup today sees the influx of the first tranche of seeded schools, with 10 sides entering the fray across the province.
The battle-hardened half dozen will all fancy their chances of catching a seeded school cold in the third round, with only the tie between Down High School and Limavady Grammar School, who defeated Lurgan College 27-17 on Saturday in their rearranged second-round game, featuring two sides from the last round.
That at least guarantees a non-seeded school a place in the fourth round, when the remaining top eight seeds - holders Royal Belfast Academical Institution, Methodist College, Campbell College, Wallace High School, Ballymena Academy, Belfast Royal Academy, Sullivan Upper School and Royal School Armagh - enter the competition in two weeks' time.
Elsewhere, Rainey Endowed School, following their 12-0 victory over the first-round qualifiers Antrim Grammar School, travel to Royal School Dungannon.
Cambridge House, fresh from their 33-10 victory over Friends School in their rearranged second-round clash on Saturday, entertain Ballyclare High School in a fierce north-Antrim-versus-east-Antrim clash.
The two schools haven't met this season and so previous form or indeed knowledge of respective strengths and weaknesses will play little part in the encounter.
And Daniel Soper's side will travel to Ballymena with their feet firmly on the ground.
"We have struggled a wee bit this year, to be honest," said Soper, a former fullback with Banbridge. "We started off not too bad but then lost a few key guys to injuries - some upper sixth formers in key positions like number eight, scrumhalf, tighthead prop and hooker.
"One or two of them are just coming back so we are optimistic and we have worked pretty hard. But I am probably realistic as well. Hopefully, we can translate some of the hard work from the training field onto the rugby pitch."
Carrick Grammar School, who defeated Dalriada 6-0 in the second round, travel to Regent House.
The remaining ties see seeded schools go head to head. Omagh Academy entertain Portora Royal, who could well prove dark horses despite a relatively poor return from their friendlies to date.
"It has been a difficult season for us, with a number of injuries to key players combined with a young squad," said the Portora coach Lachlan Ferguson. "But we have a number of guys back and with a bit of luck we can give any side a real go on the day."
The draw also throws up an exciting northwest showdown between Foyle and Londonderry College and Coleraine Academical Institution, while Portadown College travel to Banbridge.
They all promise to be nailbiting duels, most of them too tight to call.
On cup Saturdays, it is usually the sides that keep their composure that triumph and of course, with such wind and rain, the side that adapts best to the conditions.
Ulster Schools Cup - Third Round
Today - Royal School Dungannon v Rainey Endowed (11am); Grosvenor Grammar School v Belfast High School (10.30am); Omagh Academy v Portora Royal School (11am); Foyle and Londonderry College v Coleraine Academical Institution (11am), Banbridge Academy v Portadown College (10.30am), Cambridge House v Ballyclare High School (11am), Regent House v Carrick Grammar (11am); Down High School v Limavady Grammar (11.45am).
