An Irish Times form guide for this year's school's cup.

Belvedere College

COACHES: Ray Southam, Marc Adam, Andrew Kenny.

CAPTAIN: Cliff Murphy.

LAST YEAR: Beaten in final by St Mary's.

RETURNING PLAYERS: Cliff Murphy (flanker), Dan O'Kane (Number eight), Kevin Barden (wing), Eamon Fitzgerald (full back), Niall Gallagher (hooker), Brian O'Neill (scrumhalf).

FORECAST: Six of the team that got to last year's final return. Only loss this season in pre-cup fare was to Terenure. In a year that promises to be an exceptional competition given the depth of quality, they are probably marginal favourites. Could emulate last year's achievement.

Blackrock College

COACHES: Andrew Carroll, Niall McDermott, Terry O'Reilly.

CAPTAIN: Keelan O'Toole.

LAST YEAR: Quarter-final defeat to St Mary's.

RETURNING PLAYERS: Keelan O'Toole (flanker), Cillian Willis (scrumhalf), Brian Canavan (wing), David Blain (wing).

FORECAST: Have a reasonably easy passage to the semi-final where they will face the winners of St Mary's/Clongowes first round clash. Likely to be the latter and facing the Kildare college could mark the end of their cup campaign. Runners up in English national schools festival. Well coached with some good players, they may, unusually, lack depth.

Castleknock

COACHES: Mick Quinn, Colin Townsend, Jimmy Bruen, Alan Mullan.

CAPTAIN: Shane McCarthy.

LAST YEAR: Beaten in semi-final by St Mary's.

RETURNING PLAYERS: Vincent Gough (wing), Harry Morrin O'Rouke (full back), Eric Flanagan (centre), Warren Barry (prop), Devon Toner (second row), Andrew Nuzum (flanker), Shane McCarthy (number eight).

FORECAST: Could run aground in first match, but if they sneak past High School, will face Terenure and that's probably all she wrote for Castleknock. Possess one of the best wing prospects for years in Vincent Gough, a 6ft 8in second row in Devon Toner and the son of a former Nigerian soccer goalkeeper in Francis Iyayi.

Catholic University School

COACHES: Derek Dowling, Gary Beresford Miller, Stephen Tonge.

CAPTAIN: Peter Lawless.

LAST YEAR: Second round defeat to St Gerard's.

RETURNING PLAYERS: Peter Lawless (prop), Karl Naughton (number eight), Shane Quirke (second row), Richard Ganly-Barnwall (second row), Alan Hendrick (centre), Haryy Ormsby (centre, wing), Mark Browne (outhalf).

FORECAST: Have seven of last year's squad to square up against Skerries, beaten finalists in Section A. This should be a closely contested affair, but neither school may be capable of handling the victors in the Wesley-Newbridge clash next time out.

CBC Monkstown

COACHES: Pat Fox, Neil Ferguson, Ian Counihan, Paul Flood.

CAPTAIN: Richard Taaffe.

LAST YEAR: First round loss to Gonzaga.

RETURNING PLAYERS: John Lynn (fullback/wing), Neil Walsh (wing), Ian Widger (scrumhalf/outhalf), Mark Cooney (hooker), Richard Taaffe (second row), Kevin Boucher (second row).

FORECAST: Poor pre-cup form suggests that while they will be favourites to account for Section A qualifiers Newpark in their first game will probably come off second best against St Paul's in their second outing. Six players return from last year's side including a fine hooker in Mark Cooney. Outside chance of making quarter-finals in Section B.

Cistercian College, Roscrea

COACHES: Jonathan Burns, Séamus Egan.

CAPTAIN: John Egan.

LAST YEAR: Semi-final defeat to Belvedere.

RETURNING PLAYERS: John Egan (hooker), Barry Hall (flanker), Martin Leahy (flanker), Fergal Lawlor (outhalf), Rodney O'Donnell (prop).

FORECAST: Led by hooker John Egan a son of coach Séamus, Roscrea have a young side that includes Irish schools outhalf Fergal Lawlor. Hoping that prop Rodney O'Donnell recovers from a cruciate ligament injury. Face a tough opening game in Section B against league winners Templeogue where they may come a cropper.

Clongowes Wood College

COACHES: Noel Murray, Adam Lewis.

CAPTAIN: Gavin Murphy.

LAST YEAR: Second round loss to St Mary's.

RETURNING PLAYERS: Gavin Murphy (flanker), David Sharkey (centre), Morgan Hickey Crowe (centre), Paddy Walsh (prop), Mark Regan (wing), Killian Finnane (outhalf), Robert Kearney (winger), Robert Fagan (number eight).

FORECAST: Couldn't have asked for a tougher opening match than a tilt at the defending champions Mary's. It will be one of the games of the tournament. A strong team that includes fellow Leinster players, the excellent David Sharkey, Morgan Hickey Crowe and prop Paddy Walsh. Potential champions.

Gonzaga

COACHES: Bobby Byrne, Declan Fassbender.

CAPTAIN: Kevin McLaughlin.

LAST YEAR: Beaten in second round by Blackrock.

RETURNING PLAYERS: Kevin McLaughlin (number eight), Niall Morris (prop), Rob O'Connor (wing), Eoghan Tuite (second row).

FORECAST: Will rely heavily on their Irish Schools number eight Kevin McLaughlin.

Bobby Byrne is a very shrewd coach

and the team could possibly make it into the quarter-finals of Section B, but to do

so would require a victory against a

decent St Gerard's team in their second match.

Gorey Community School

COACHES: Declan O'Toole, Martin Fenlon, Noel Murphy.

CAPTAIN: Thomas O'Rourke.

LAST YEAR: Beaten second round Section A by Columba's.

RETURNING PLAYERS: Thomas O'Rourke (flanker), David O'Leary (prop), Tadg Ó Scanaill (hooker), Conor Coakley (number eight), Paul Redmond (outhalf), James French (fullback), Diarmuid O'Sullivan (wing), Declan Lynch (scrumhalf).

FORECAST: One of the biggest schools in the country (1,400 pupils), Gorey have only 23 players from which to select their senior team.

Beat DLS Churchtown after a replay before losing to Skerries in the semi-final, the fourth match in eight days for some of the players. They could make life difficult for St Paul's before bowing out.

High School

COACHES: David Wright, Hugh Hogan, Ray Walker.

CAPTAIN: Matthew D'Arcy.

LAST YEAR: Beaten in quarter-final by Roscrea.

RETURNING PLAYERS: Rob Smyth (full back), Dave Thompson (outhalf), Robbie Horne (wing), Alex Feldman (wing), Matthew D'Arcy (scrumhalf), Dave Lee (prop), Simon Goldsmith (prop), Eoghan O'Reilly (second row, number eight), Chris Harding (second row), Niall O'Shea (flanker), Ross Condron (flanker).

FORECAST: This is a good High School team that were beaten in the league final by Templeogue. Have enjoyed some fine victories this season including the scalps of Castleknock, Templeogue (friendly) Gonzaga, Wesley and Pres Bray.

Plenty of experience and a fine full back in Rob Smyth. Could beat Castleknock, but Terenure should prove too strong.

Kilkenny College

COACHES: James Morrow, Kevin Clayton, Philip Jones.

CAPTAIN: Paddy O'Connell.

LAST YEAR: Beaten by Blackrock in the second round.

RETURNING PLAYERS: Paddy O'Connell (number eight), George Cooper (full back), Peter Lawrence (wing), Aaron Deverell (outhalf), Steven Pratt (centre), Joe Cooper (flanker), Jim Healy (second row), Peter Ashmore (second row).

FORECAST: Beaten in the quarter-final of the league, they will fancy their chances of beating one of the four qualifiers from Section C. Last season they were beaten in the second round by Blackrock and that fate could await them once again.

Determined to give a better account of themselves and with a more experienced team could do exactly that.

King's Hospital

COACHES: John Huggard, Brett Igoe, Niall Mahon, Dermot Kelleher.

CAPTAIN: Shane Young.

LAST YEAR: Beaten in second round by High School.

RETURNING PLAYERS: John White (second row), Conor Donohue (centre), Shane Young (number eight), Killian Lett (outhalf).

FORECAST: Very difficult task in opposing Blackrock in the first round of Section B. Lost in the league semi-final to eventual winners Templeogue, but a recent 10-8 defeat by St Mary's suggests that they are capable of making things difficult for Blackrock. A young side, only four players remain from last year's squad.

Newbridge College

COACHES: Greg McInerney, Jim Lowry.

CAPTAIN: Eoghan Deasy.

LAST YEAR: Beaten in first round by Terenure.

RETURNING PLAYERS: Eoghan Deasy (prop), Mark Mullins (backrow), Jonathan Delaney (centre), Alan Clarke (full back).

FORECAST: The five-year cycle of the school makes it very difficult for the Kildare College at senior level. Once again, they have a very young side that hasstruggled to date this season.

Twelve of this team will be eligible next year and the focus this season is not to damage them psychologically. Will do well to beat Wesley.

Newpark

COACHES: Andrew Adams, Morgan Lennon.

CAPTAIN: Jason Lowe.

LAST YEAR: Beaten in second round Section A by Moyne Community College.

RETURNING PLAYERS: Richard Court, Leon Ireland, Ben O'Shea, Brendan Murphy, Daniel Grattan, Stephen O'Hara, Finn Cullen, David O'Rourke, Jason Lowe, Peter Tormey.

FORECAST: Have just 22 players, the minimum required from which to select their SCT team. Any injuries mean they have to draft in younger players . Beaten in the Section A semi-final by Columba's, they have been favoured by the draw against a weak Monkstown side but victory in this match may even be beyond them.

Presentation Brothers College, Bray
COACHES: Breffni O'Hagan, Bobby O'Keefe.

CAPTAIN: Alex O'Sullivan.

LAST YEAR: Second round defeat to Castleknock.

RETURNING PLAYERS: Alex O'Sullivan (prop), Jack Moore (hooker), Charles Robinson (prop), Luke Mantle (number eight), Stephen Dempsey (outhalf), Stephen King (centre), Stephen Greenan (wing), Jonathan Harris Wright (centre), Sami Dowling (wing).

FORECAST: Led by an outstanding prospect in Leinster prop Alex O'Sullivan, Pres boast a sprinkling of experience throughout the team.Should have no problem with St Andrew's in first game and would be contenders to win the Vinnie Murray (Section C) Cup.

Skerries Community College

COACHES: Rory O'Byrne, Conal Keane, Aidan Sherlock.

CAPTAIN: David Lee.

LAST YEAR: Beaten in second round by Roscrea.

RETURNING PLAYERS: Eoin O'Byrne, Mark Cullen, David Lee, Rory Dempsey, Michael Campbell, Tom Hanratty, Owen Keane, Stephen Donohue, Damian Kirwan, Mark Jenkins, Jim O'Regan.

FORECAST: Beaten by St Columba's in the Section A final they have some decent pre-cup form and a sizeable contingent of returning players. They won't be daunted by facing CUS and would not be unduly worried were they to face Wesley or Newbridge in the next round.

St Andrew's College

COACHES: Emyr Jones, Barry Corcoran.

CAPTAIN: Jack Doran.

LAST YEAR: beaten in first round by Skerries.

RETURNING PLAYERS: Jack Doran (centre), Paul Hamilton (centre), Paul Devlin (second row).

FORECAST: Lost all their league matches and hammered by Pres Bray, the side they face in the opening match of Section C on Wednesday. Just three players, including captain Jack Doran, return from last year's team that lost to Skerries in their first match. Have improved on their pre-Christmas performances, but it probably won't be enough.

St Columba's College

COACHES: John Farrelly, Dave Griffith, David Sherwood.

CAPTAIN: Philip Black.

LAST YEAR: Beaten in first round by Roscrea.

Returning players: Daniel Dobbs (tighthead prop), Patrick Temple (prop), Aran McArdle (second row), Jason Horsey (flanker), Henric Gervais (number eight), Michael Quinn (outhalf), Philip Black (centre), Ben Cork (centre), Alastair Musgrave (wing), Daniel Massy (wing).

FORECAST: Section A champions and a team that includes 10 of last year's side that made it to the first round of Section B. are unlucky that they face one of the stronger sides in Section C, Gonzaga, as the latter would be fancied to win that match.

Could be very close and therefore have the potential for an upset.

St Gerard's College

COACHES: Tony Ward, Joe McDonnell, Michael McMullan.

CAPTAIN: Alan Scanlan.

LAST YEAR: Beaten in quarter-final by Castleknock.

RETURNING PLAYERS: Luciano Sanagoga, Tony O'Kane, Michael Barton, Aidan McGlinchey, Alan Scanlan, Shane Canavan, Mark Campbell, Mark Moran, William Roche, Eoin Brady, Robin Fullam, Cian Lennon.

FORECAST: They narrowly missed out on qualification to go straight into Section B based on their league form. Possess one of the best outhalfs in the competition in Shane Canavan. Will probably face Gonzaga having been given a bye in the first round of Section C. Should be a close match.

St Mary's College

COACHES: Clive Byrne, Dave Breslin, Rodney O'Donnell, John Kilbride, Ciaran O'Donnell, John Wynne.

CAPTAIN: Paul Nash.

LAST YEAR: Champions, beat Belvedere in the final.

RETURNING PLAYERS: Paul Nash (backrow), Stephen Grissing (centre/wing), Jonathan Sexton (outhalf), Michael Finlay (centre), Alex Hutchinson (flanker).

FORECAST: Last year's champions have five of that winning team including the excellent Stephen Grissing and young outhalf Jonathan Sexton. Lost narrowly to Blackrock and their first-round opponents Clongowes, drew with Terenure and beat St Michael's.

The school has a great tradition of playing attractive rugby and this year's team shouldn't disappoint. Clongowes the narrowest of favourites to dump the champions.

St Michael's College

COACHES: Paul Barr, Gary Coakley, Greg McWilliams, Mark Byrne.

CAPTAIN: Philip Howard.

LAST YEAR: Beaten by Belvedere in quarter-final.

RETURNING PLAYERS: Philip Howard (full back), George Byron (centre), Niall Best (prop), Spencer Mitton (centre), Alex Kelly (wing forward or hooker), James McCarthy (number eight).

FORECAST: Have suffered cruel luck with a draw that pits them against favourites Belvedere in their opening match. Have a couple of good centres in George Byron and Spencer Mitton, but it is a youngish team that may realise its full potential next year when married with the Junior Cup winning team of last season.

St Paul's College

COACHES: Andrew Wood, Dave O'Siochan.

CAPTAIN: Conor Keegan.

LAST YEAR: Beaten by St Michael's in first round.

RETURNING PLAYERS: Ronan McHugh (second row), Ronan Byrne (flanker), Michael Fitzmaurice (centre), Mark Hickey (number eight), Conor Keegan (centre), Richard Grimes (outhalf), Gareth Reynolds (flanker), Andrew Menton (full back), Brendan Fitzgerald (prop), John O'Connor (prop), Diarmuid O Conarain (hooker).

FORECAST: Led by an excellent prospect in centre Conor Keegan, who worked with the Leinster squad. A poor start to the season has been followed by a steady improvement.They will be too good for both Gorey and CBC Monstown and would then face another qualifier from Section C in the first round of Section B.

Templeogue College

COACHES: Michael Glynn, Milo O'Shea, Conor McPhillips, Eoin Keane.

CAPTAIN: Darragh O'Kelly.

LAST YEAR: Beaten by Clongowes in the first round.

RETURNING PLAYERS: Eleven of the squad return.

FORECAST: League winners and several shrewd observers' tip to perhaps cause a surprise. They face Roscrea first up and will relish that prospect before girding themselves for a probable meeting with Belvedere.They have also won 12 of 17 friendlies and it is great to see rugby thriving once again in a school that has seen some lean times on the playing fields.

Terenure College

COACHES: Padraig Forde, Charlie O'Sullivan, Gerry Murphy, Allan Ryan.

CAPTAIN: Dave Cazabon/Alex Dunlop.

LAST YEAR: Beaten by St Mary's in the first round.

RETURNING PLAYERS: Keith Molloy (front row), Alex Dunlop (second row), Keith O'Malley-Farrell (number eight), David Cazabon (back), Conor Gildea (back), Gary Byrne (back).

FORECAST: Whisper it but Terenure, at the time of going to print had not been beaten by a Leinster school this season. David Cazabon and Alex Dunlop will be big players for the team that is likely to gallop to a semi-final meeting with Belvedere.

A cracking contest is in the offing there and it would be "an on the day" encounter. Potential finalists.

Wesley College

COACHES: Fred O'Brien, David Sharmon, Kevin Corrigan.

CAPTAIN: Alan Grey.

LAST YEAR: Beaten in first round by High School.

RETURNING PLAYERS: David Heelan (full back), Robert Greene (centre), Alan Large (outhalf), Jonathan Power (scrumhalf), Peter Richardson (number eight), Philip Rowe (flanker), Roger Rynehart (second row), Alan Grey (hooker), Chris Jackson (prop).

FORECAST: Best described as a team that when good, they're very, very good, but when bad, they can be downright awful.Six wins in 12 matches they could make it to the semi-finals of the Vincent Murray Cup (Section C) and therefore a place in the first round of Section B.