Ulster Senior Cup Final Methodist v Campbell Ravenhill, 3.30Methodist College will run out against Campbell College at Ravenhill today in search of their 30th Ulster Schools Cup victory (kick-off 3pm).
The celebrated Belfast rugby nursery have been cup favourites for most of the season, having beaten the cream of Ulster rugby, and they have cemented their growing reputation with some notable scalps, including Blackrock and Terenure.
There has been a changing of the guard at Pirrie Park, where David Wells has handed over the coaching reins to his son Nicky, before moving upstairs to become director of rugby.
He leaves a rich legacy and is a difficult act to follow, having guided Methody to 10 outright cup wins and two shared titles.
They were in commanding form in the semi-finals as they exacted revenge for last year's cup final defeat with a 14-0 win over RBAI, and they have already lowered Campbell's colours this season with 12-8 home win.
They possess a genuine game-breaker in their Ulster and Ireland Schools fullback Owen McMurray, who combines pace with prolific goal-kicking.
Methody also have a formidable pack that features a powerful backrow combination led by their Ulster and Ireland Schools star David Johnston.
Campbell College also possess star quality in the person of their Ireland Schools centre Jamie Smith, who has scored crucial tries and consistently excelled during their cup run.
He enjoys a decent rugby pedigree as the nephew of the former Ulster, Ireland and Lions hooker Stephen Smith and has scored the winning tries in Campbell's quarter-final win over Wallace High School and their hard-fought semi-final victory over Portora Royal School.
The Methody captain, Peter Glass, who offers another potent attacking threat from fullback, will hope to lead his team to a repeat of their last cup win, when they defeated Methody back in 2002 to lift their 22nd title.
Campbell's talisman Smith offers them genuine reasons for hope, but Methody have a clear edge up front and look like the more talented all-round side.
They should give the Pirrie Park faithful plenty of reasons to cheer this afternoon.
METHODIST COLLEGE: O McMurray; C Quinn, C O'Kane, J Crossey, P McFadden; R Blake-Knox, S Bell; A Sproule, P McMahon, A Mackin; A Annett, A Jackson; J Kernaghan, M Robinson, D Johnston (capt).
CAMPBELL COLLEGE: P Glass (capt); J Castles, S Rea, J Smith, J Yeung; R Boyd, A Dougherty; N McLaughlin, K Yellop, P Eadie; D Bradford, G Rankin; B McDonnell, R McCullagh, J Ferguson.
