Both UCD and UCC will represent Ireland in the quarter-final stages of the European Universities' Championship.
The Irish sides topped their groups in the seven-pool tournament, which involved the leading 21 rugby-playing universities in Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, France, Spain and Italy. UCD now face an away game against Brunel University while UCC are hosts to Northumbria in the January 6th quarter-finals.
UCD, who hosted a pool at Belfield, defeated last year's winners, Universite Paul Sabatier Toulouse, yesterday morning in a match where they convincingly led from the start before toughing it out for an upbeat and deserving 20-7 win. The Dublin students had earlier beaten Exeter University 60-24 in their first pool match ensuring automatic qualification.
UCC also confirmed their status as one of the stronger sides in the competition when they opened their account on Monday with a 23-14 win over Bristol University before handing out a lesson to the relatively inexperienced University of Barcelona. The Spanish side conceded 76 points to the Cork students, scoring only a penalty goal in reply.
Both Dublin University, who travelled with a considerably weakened side, and Queen's University Belfast were beaten in both of their pool games and failed to advance. Queen's lost 22-20 to Trinity College Carmarthen and 43-7 to Northumbria while Trinity were beaten 29-7 by Swansea and 48-0 by Brunel.
Yesterday's win over Toulouse makes UCD candidates to win the trophy outright. Certainly their front row and midfield in yesterday's contest bore all the hallmarks of a team who can match any aggression with head-on strength and control.
When Toulouse finally began to turn the screw after Brian O'Driscoll, a dynamic out-half, had set the scoring in motion with a fine try, centres Shane Moore and Michael Colling were outstanding in defending a 14-0 lead.
UCC will also feel pleased about their home draw and with wingers Darragh Morgan running in three tries and Darragh Holt running in four against Barcelona, the Cork side have also proved their ability to advance. Certainly playing the match in Cork should generate significant support.
The semi-finals are scheduled for January 13th with the final date yet to be finalised.
European Student Championship (quarter finals, January 13th) - Trinity Carmarthen v Harper Adams; Grenoble v Loughborough; UCC v Northumbria University; Brunel v UCD
London Irish have changed two thirds of their front row for today's clash against Harlequins. Hooker Mike Howe replaces Richard Kirke and prop Kris Fullman ousts Rob Hardwick from the side beaten by Saracens last weekend. Number eight Rob Gallacher deputises for knee injury victim Isaac Feaunati, while Jarrod Cunningham continues as goalkicker in Niall Woods's absence.
England wing Dan Luger returns for Harlequins, who also recall full-back Jamie Williams, prop Jason Leonard and Ireland hooker Keith Wood.
