Blackrock forwards to build victory platform

Schools Rugby Leinster Senior Cup final: Ireland demonstrated last weekend that sporting life is occasionally wonderfully unpredictable. It is an achievement Clongowes will aim to ape when they contest tomorrow's Leinster Schools Senior Cup final

The Kildare school enter the game as appreciable underdogs, a state of affairs that is wholly attributable to the disparity in physique between the respective packs. The powerful Blackrock eight have subdued all bar the St Mary's College pack, and even the latter were forced to concede second best in the second half of their first-round clash.

Clongowes' forwards epitomise traditional virtues, a voracious work-rate and a collective will. They hunt in packs and demonstrate a Scots-like quality in low body positions. The forwards play the margins as a unit.

This year's pack, ably led by Paddy O'Meara, lacks inches and pounds, with second row Doug Fagan a primary ball carrier. Clongowes need to play the game fast and loose and hang on for dear life in the set-pieces. The lineout was nowhere near good enough against Newbridge and as England discovered against Ireland last weekend, when denied a platform in this facet of play, a team's patterns become blunted.

Newbridge caused huge problems for Clongowes in the semi-final by employing a pick-and-drive gambit. It forced the latter into a spiralling tackle count and while there isn't a fitter team in the competition, having to work that hard to get the ball pack will drain the Clongowes pack.

The Blackrock pack is an excellent unit, led By Diarmuid Laffan. Gary Walsh is a ball-playing prop, Ray O'Hara and Max Cantrell provide the grunt in the second row while Laffan and former Clongowes boy Darren O'Reilly, the power and precision. First-choice hooker Cian Culliton is back after injury.

Controlling the football will be the priority. If Blackrock achieve a level of dominance up front they may elect to ration the considerable qualities of their back three of David Nyhan, Michael Kavanagh and Vasya Artemiev, instead favouring the boot of Daniel Barnett and the muscularity of inside centre James Power. Cutting loose and using the space, they possess the quality to swamp Clongowes. It's about attitude.

Clongowes boast an excellent back line laden with footballing ability from pacy left-wing Killian Stafford to a brace of footballing centres in Fergus McFadden and Daniel O'Connor. The jewel is full back Robert Kearney. He's athletic, quick, possesses wonderful hands, a terrific left foot and great vision.

Clongowes hopes of a seventh title and a first since 2000 rest on being able to get enough ball to unleash their backs. They'll have to take risks and need exceptional performances from every player.

The likelihood is Blackrock will dominate up front and deny Clongowes possession. Blackrock appear that little bit too strong so come late tomorrow afternoon, Williamstown should be thronged with players and supporters celebrating a 64th Leinster Schools Senior Cup success.

BLACKROCK COLLEGE: D Nyhan; M Kavanagh, L Fitzgerald, J Power, V Artemiev; D Barnett, D Madigan; G Walsh, C Culliton, S Snell; M Cantrell, R O'Hara; D Laffan (capt), D O'Reilly, G Flanagan.

CLONGOWES WOOD COLLEGE: R Kearney; R McElwee, F McFadden, D O'Connor, K Stafford; P Casey, L Ronan; D Halpin, M Jacobs, P Crilly; T Shiels, D Fagan; B Coyle, P O'Meara (capt), P Lennon.

Referee: A Lewis (IRFU).

Verdict: Blackrock to win.