Irish Rugby : Club & Community : News : Belfast Pupils Set New Scrum World Record

IRFU Chief Executive Philip Browne has issued a statement following confirmation of Ronan O'Gara's decision to retire from playing professional rugby.

IRFU provincial and national age grade coaches - Under-18s, Under-19s and Under-20s - and IRFU elite player development staff from the four provinces gathered recently to review their experiences, discuss challenges and align closer to ensure the development of more effective elite players across the IRFU Elite Player Pathway.

The IRFU today announced a new one-year contract with Brian O'Driscoll which will see him remain available to play for Ireland and Leinster until the end of June 2014.

The world record attempt, dubbed the RaboDirect Big Scrum, was kindly supported by RaboDirect, proud sponsors of the RaboDirect PRO12.

Last Friday night saw boys and girls from different communities across Belfast pack down at Ulster's famous home ground to beat the previous record of 750, which was set by Milton Keynes scouts at Wembley Stadium in December last year.

Click here to view BBC Northern Ireland's footage of the new world record scrum at Ravenhill.

Congratulations to all involved in setting the new world record including the students themselves, the teachers and coaches and especially Chris McCarey, who is head of rugby at Belfast Royal Academy.

The money raised will help to raise funds for the school's 'tour of a lifetime' to South Africa this summer, as well as supporting charities Tygerburg Children's Hospital, Newforge Taggers and the IRFU Charitable Trust.

To make a donation to Belfast Royal Academy's tour to South Africa or the associated charities, please log onto www.belfastroyalacademy.com or the school's Facebook and Twitter pages.