Ulster Schools Team : Irish Rugby

This weekend the Ulster Schools, sponsored by Renault, play their opening match in this seasons Interprovincial Championship against Munster at Thomond Park, Limerick on Saturday 10th November, 2001. Kick off is 2.00pm.

The starting team is (from 15-9, 1-8):

Tommy Bowe (Royal School Armagh), Simon Gardiner (Royal Belfast Academical

Institution), Thomas Horner (Campbell College Belfast), Johnnie McLaughlin (Methodist College Belfast), Robert Conway (Coleraine Academical Institution), Gareth Steenson (Royal School Armagh), Michael Kirkwood (Methodist College Belfast), Niall Conlon - Captain (Royal Belfast Academical Institution), Ben Hanvey (Belfast High School), John McNeill(Portora Royal School), Lewis Stevenson (Ballyclare High School), Mark Jenkinson (Royal School Dungannon), Michael Williams (Methodist College Belfast), David Burns (Coleraine Academical Institution), Neil McComb (Campbell College).

Replacements: Stephen Morrow (Ballyclare High School), Paul McKenzie (Bangor Grammar School), Richard McCarter (Foyle Londonderry College), Stephen Auld (Royal School Armagh), Gary Maxwell (Royal School Dungannon), Johnnie Craig (Royal Belfast Academical Institution), Matthew Shiells (Royal School Armagh), Philip Gilliland (Foyle Londonderry College).

Ulster Schools spokesman, Mike Rogers commented, "It is a huge match, especially as only four of this years starting team were involved last season. Eleven months ago, we beat Munster at Ravenhill but it is always much more difficult travelling to Thomond Park, which is commonly referred to as the hotbed of Irish rugby. However, the players have been inspired in recent days by the Senior team's performance against Stade Francais, as well as by the Under 18s defeating Munster on their own patch. The weekend training and preparation went well under the guidance of Coach Brian McLaughlin."

IRFU Chief Executive Philip Browne spoke to Irish Rugby TV about the Union's 2016/17 Annual Report, which includes increased investment in Women's rugby and addresses the challenges of funding for the game in Ireland.

The launch of a commemorative stamp to mark the Women's Rugby World Cup in Ireland was a special day for Women's rugby, team captain Niamh Briggs and her family. We spoke to her and her dad Mike at the GPO.

Marie Louise Reilly joined her Ireland team-mates Nora Stapleton and Lindsay Peat at a recent Dublin City Council event in support of the upcoming Women's Rugby World Cup. Reilly, who works as a DCC Sports Officer, said: "The team are coming together really well, we're working hard and hopefully August will be really memorable not just for us but for the whole country."