Cistercian College Roscrea in Leinster Schools Cup action

Cistercian College Roscrea take on Catholic University School, Dublin in the Bank of Ireland Leinster Schools Senior Rugby Cup at Lakeland’s Park, Terenure on Friday, February 3rd at 2.30pm.

Cistercian Roscrea is in the first year of the stewardship of Kolo Kiripati and Alan Long.

The Offaly school have enough Interprovincial players back from a galling first-round loss to Wesley last year to drive them.

Mixed form in the league gave way to an impressive 8-0 win away at Castleknock in the quarter-final and a battling 22-12 loss to Newbridge in the semi-finals.

The squad is captained by the talented Richie Whelan and the loose forward was joined by Connacht U19 captain Max Flynn at training with the Ireland U19s.

In the pack, Rory Og Doody, Rory Glynn have interpro’ experience, while Lee Fitzpatrick and Billy Hayes have made the step up from the JCT side last year.

Scrum-half Sean Finlay started for the Leinster Schools, while Jack Deegan, James Conroy and Charlie O’Sullivan are backs who can change a game.

Catholic University School have been impressive in manhandling The High School (41-8) The King’s Hospital (53-0) and St Fintan’s High School (46-17) in qualifying for the Vinnie Murray Cup final.

By extension, it also gives the Leeson Street school a shot at the Senior Cup where they will be battle-hardened.

Head coach Marc Adam will look to his captain Lucas Maguire, a Leinster Schools Interpro, and his younger brother Ruben on the openside.

Number eight Dylan McNeice has been impressive in a pack of forwards that has plenty of aggression.

The same goes for the back division in which full-back Jack Grant makes timely incursions in attack and centres Sean Byrne and Rian Treacy play with an edge.