ANY discussion on the best rugby schools in the UK and Ireland must certainly include a close look at the claims of the Royal Belfast Academical Institute whose many successes have ranged through the centuries and continue apace.
Starting in 1875, when they could lay claim to seven members of the Ireland team, RBAI have spawned 84 Ireland internationals with one of those – Hugh Ferris – also winning a Springbok cap after he emigrated to South Africa in 1903. And of those 84, 13 went on to become British and Irish Lions.
Closer to home they have always been a powerhouse school in the Ulster Schools Cup which has become more than just a rugby institution in the province since its inception in 1876 with the competition final every March 17 always playing to packed houses at Ravenhill and now the Kingspan.
RBAI took a little time to make their mark and didn’t win their first title until 1888 but they have been making up for lost time ever since with 32 outright wins, four shared titles and 21 losing appearances as finalists. Only their great rivals, Methodist College Belfast, have more titles with 36.
Unsurprisingly they also boast a fine record in the Medallion (U15) competition with 35 wins and three shared titles in 51 appearances in the final. Another little statistic worth noting is that despite being situated in the heart of Belfast, RBAI never lost a day’s school or rugby throughout the Troubles in the 1970s and 1980s.
There have been some glorious periods of dominance in the senior competition with seven straight titles between 1943-48 while RBAI were also losing finalists in 1949 and 1950 before winning again in 1951. Another, briefer, golden period came more recently with a hard earned hattrick of wins between 2015-17.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der June 20, 2021-Ausgabe von The Rugby Paper.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der June 20, 2021-Ausgabe von The Rugby Paper.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
YOUNG GUNS
SEANKERR HARLEQUINS & ENGLAND U20 CENTRE
PGP deal is nothing but a waste of time
I CAN’T help thinking that the new Professional Game Partnership (PGP) is nothing but a waste of time as I can’t see how it is going to make any difference to how the game operates or how it will actually help clubs keep players and reduce the financial strain they are under.
Tries galore as Jake leads the Crusaders title party
WITH Dings stalwarts Charlie Taylor and Jake Holcombe reaching the milestones of 250 and 200 appearances respectively, the massive win over Camborne was a fitting end to the season.
It's title delight for the Titans!
ROTHERHAM Titans are the champions!
Lions survive as Patrick heroics seal late glory
THE final throws of the 2023-24 season saw Sale take on Leicester Lions at Heywood Road, with the visitors looking for a victory to ensure their survival.
35 years on and Tim's charity still full of hope
IF YOU believe rugby is the ultimate team sport – which I still do – it is tempting to superimpose all its many fine qualities into other team environments.
'Ireland in blue' will provide stiffest test
PHIL Dowson and Leo Cullen first crossed paths in European action 10 seasons ago when Northampton did something they had never done before nor since: beating Leinster in Dublin.
Cardiff left in a mess by lively Edinburgh
CARDIFF’S last appearance at the Arms Park this season ended miserably as Edinburgh picked up a valuable four points in their quest for an end of season playoff spot.
RED ROSES
MADDIE FEAUNATI EXETER CHIEFS BACK ROW
Sharks look to have edge in Diamond derby
SALE boss Alex Sanderson has thanked Steve Diamond, his opposite number at Newcastle, for giving him extra motivation to win what has been dubbed ‘the Diamond derby’.