Tiered groups of four to precede traditional knockout…

Tiered groups of four to precede traditional knockout ties in new look Danske Bank Schools Cup

Next season’s Danske Bank Ulster Schools Cup will boast a brand new format with pre-Christmas group games preceding the traditional knockout ties in the New Year.

Aimed at improving “player experience and provide more competitive fixtures”, the new structure was agreed following a review process by the Ulster Branch Schools Committee.

Stephen Black, chairman of the committee, said: “The new format was part of a bigger review process aimed at improving the rugby experience of young players in schools.

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“What has been agreed is a progressive new format that will provide more meaningful fixtures for all our rugby playing schools.”

Competing schools have been placed into four tiers, according to the needs of participants, with the tiers to be reviewed annually.

Tier 2 and Tier 3 teams will compete in group stage games before Christmas - in six groups of four - with the draw to take place at the Kingspan Stadium on Tuesday, May 14.

The top 10 teams (six winners and four best runners-up) from the group stages qualify for the knockout stages of the Schools’ Cup and Subsidiary Shield where they will be joined by the six Tier 1 teams.

The remaining teams will enter the knockout stages of the Schools’ Trophy and Schools’ Bowl.

The tiered groupings for the 2019/20 pilot season are as follows:

TIER 1

Ballymena Academy

Campbell College Belfast

Methodist College Belfast

RBAI

RS Armagh

Wallace HS

TIER 2

Ballyclare High

Bangor Grammar