Schools Cup 2016

[fuzzylogic]

big mervyn wrote:
You probably wouldn't get the likes of Kyle, Gibson, Irwin and Humphreys playing rugby these days. Not too many doctors and solicitors playing in the professional ranks. Roberts is a notable exception.

You might be surprised Big Merv. There are quite a few about apart from the two already mentioned. Either Pundit Arena or In the Loose actually done an article on the "smartest rugby players" a couple of days ago.

Off hand I remember seeing listed:

Alun Wynn Jones - Law Degree
Jannie du Plessis - Qualified Doctor
Bismark Du Plessis - Economics Degree
Schalke Burger - Chartered Accountant (One of the reasons he moved to Saracens)

Then theres the little known Melbourne Rebels centre Tom Kingston, not so much a degree, but he actually scored 104 out of 100 in his high school leavers exams


and jumping sports - Juan Mata has 2 degrees, one in Sports Science completed while he was playing for Chelsea and a Finance degree while still at Valencia.

[Tighty]

big mervyn wrote:
You probably wouldn't get the likes of Kyle, Gibson, Irwin and Humphreys playing rugby these days. Not too many doctors and solicitors playing in the professional ranks. Roberts is a notable exception.

You might be surprised Big Merv. There are quite a few about apart from the two already mentioned. Either Pundit Arena or In the Loose actually done an article on the "smartest rugby players" a couple of days ago.

Off hand I remember seeing listed:

Alun Wynn Jones - Law Degree
Jannie du Plessis - Qualified Doctor
Bismark Du Plessis - Economics Degree
Schalke Burger - Chartered Accountant (One of the reasons he moved to Saracens)

Then theres the little known Melbourne Rebels centre Tom Kingston, not so much a degree, but he actually scored 104 out of 100 in his high school leavers exams


and jumping sports - Juan Mata has 2 degrees, one in Sports Science completed while he was playing for Chelsea and a Finance degree while still at Valencia.

Rodrigo Roncero - ex Argentinian prop is also a medical doctor , as was Felipe Contepomi , who I understand undertook specialist medical training when playing for Leinster.

As far as I know there is an arrangement between Ulster Rugby and the Ulster University which allows Ulster players to do their degrees over a longer period. not sure if a similar scheme exists at QUB.

[therealspratt]

Alan Whitten before he was ill.

Very good player, just glad he has regained his health. There are more important things than a career in professional rugby.

Yep it's fantastic, great to see him back and playing with his brother.

[BuckRogers]

I think what Merv may have meant is that very few would be able to get the professional qualification whilst playing, which I think is largely true.

Aspiring solicitors in the UK could do the LPC part time but doing the IPLS over here would be extremely difficult if not impossible not least because they mix the classroom with actual legal work with their firms. Accountancy would be something similar though they could become 'chartered' just completely sans any practical experience.

They players should have absolutely no excuses for not getting at least a basic undergrad degree and limited excuse not to be able to pick up a masters while they are at it.

[colind]

I asked my son to check and from his (Inst) Schools Cup squad of 23, eleven of them went to Uni on the mainland. I'm not sure how that would compare to country schools.

[ChuckleBrothers]

Sorry to pi*s on everyone's parade but this is supposed to be a thread about the Schools' Cup 2016...just saying... (ps - for those from the country...the 3 dots represent an ellipsis)

[big mervyn]

Sorry to pi*s on everyone's parade but this is supposed to be a thread about the Schools' Cup 2016...just saying... (ps - for those from the country...the 3 dots represent an ellipsis)

Somewhat ironic, writing all that superfluity after an ellipsis.

C'mon the country!

I always barack for the culchies even though my daughter went to a Belfast school. You can take the man out of the country ...

[ChuckleBrothers]

Sorry to pi*s on everyone's parade but this is supposed to be a thread about the Schools' Cup 2016...just saying... (ps - for those from the country...the 3 dots represent an ellipsis)

Somewhat ironic, writing all that superfluity after an ellipsis.

C'mon the country!

I always barack for the culchies even though my daughter went to a Belfast school. You can take the man out of the country ...

Tremendous response...I did laugh because you are so right!.

Anyway back to:

RBAI v Ballymena (note home changing room goes to the first name drawn...#Frampton)

Campbell v Dalriada

Predictions, thoughts, comments but...no ellipses...

[Russ]

Sorry to pi*s on everyone's parade but this is supposed to be a thread about the Schools' Cup 2016...just saying... (ps - for those from the country...the 3 dots represent an ellipsis)

Somewhat ironic, writing all that superfluity after an ellipsis.

C'mon the country!

I always barack for the culchies even though my daughter went to a Belfast school. You can take the man out of the country ...

Tremendous response...I did laugh because you are so right!.

Anyway back to:

RBAI v Ballymena (note home changing room goes to the first name drawn...#Frampton)

Campbell v Dalriada

Predictions, thoughts, comments but...no ellipses...

You on the sauce or a typical abusive Belfast school supporter?

[ChuckleBrothers]

Sorry to pi*s on everyone's parade but this is supposed to be a thread about the Schools' Cup 2016...just saying... (ps - for those from the country...the 3 dots represent an ellipsis)

Somewhat ironic, writing all that superfluity after an ellipsis.

C'mon the country!

I always barack for the culchies even though my daughter went to a Belfast school. You can take the man out of the country ...

Tremendous response...I did laugh because you are so right!.

Anyway back to:

RBAI v Ballymena (note home changing room goes to the first name drawn...#Frampton)

Campbell v Dalriada

Predictions, thoughts, comments but...no ellipses...

You on the sauce or a typical abusive Belfast school supporter?

Change the record Russ zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz on the other hand you maybe don't get that, so 'change your download'.

[LegsLikeSausages]

Sorry to pi*s on everyone's parade but this is supposed to be a thread about the Schools' Cup 2016...just saying... (ps - for those from the country...the 3 dots represent an ellipsis)

Somewhat ironic, writing all that superfluity after an ellipsis.

C'mon the country!

I always barack for the culchies even though my daughter went to a Belfast school. You can take the man out of the country ...

Tremendous response...I did laugh because you are so right!.

Anyway back to:

RBAI v Ballymena (note home changing room goes to the first name drawn...#Frampton)

Campbell v Dalriada

Predictions, thoughts, comments but...no ellipses...

You on the sauce or a typical abusive Belfast school supporter?

I nearly spat out my breakfast when I read this, Russ. YOU are accusing Belfast folk of being abusive!!!

[Russ]

Sorry to pi*s on everyone's parade but this is supposed to be a thread about the Schools' Cup 2016...just saying... (ps - for those from the country...the 3 dots represent an ellipsis)

Somewhat ironic, writing all that superfluity after an ellipsis.

C'mon the country!

I always barack for the culchies even though my daughter went to a Belfast school. You can take the man out of the country ...

Tremendous response...I did laugh because you are so right!.

Anyway back to:

RBAI v Ballymena (note home changing room goes to the first name drawn...#Frampton)

Campbell v Dalriada

Predictions, thoughts, comments but...no ellipses...

You on the sauce or a typical abusive Belfast school supporter?

I nearly spat out my breakfast when I read this, Russ. YOU are accusing Belfast folk of being abusive!!!

I'm a gentle gentile

[ChuckleBrothers]

Snoozy Suzy zzzzzzzzzzzzz...and apparently it's Dalriada v CCB.

[Scranner]

Chickalicka! Chickalicka!! Superb school - Dalriada. In Wee Ted Gordon's time, one of the most progressive schools in the Province.

[therealspratt]

Inst through to the final, though apparently Ballymena gave them a real go for it in the last 20 minutes or so. Final score 27-19.