Six players to watch.

David Pollock

(QUB, number eight/flanker)

The former Royal School Dungannon pupil last season led Ulster to their first outright win in the Schools Interprovincial Championship in 15 years.

It was hardly a surprise that he was then chosen to lead Ireland's successful schools side against Wales, England and France.

The number eight is noted for his industrious performances, strong and powerful with good footballing instincts.

He is already being touted as a player who could break into the Ireland Under-21 squad this season in recognition of that ability, although he remains eligible for the under-19 age group. A future in the professional game may see him switch to number seven.

Keith Earls

(St Munchin's College, centre)

Was a stand-out player for last season's all-conquering Ireland Schools team. Squat and powerful in the Brian O'Driscoll mould, he is a strong and direct runner and an aggressive tackler.

Word is that he is equally comfortable at inside or outside centre.

The son of former Young Munster and Munster openside flanker Ger, Keith is a member of the Munster Under-19 squad.

Too old for the Ireland Schools this season, he will be a strong contender for the Ireland Under-19 squad that heads for the World Cup in Dubai next year.

Along with former PBC schoolboy Tom Gleeson and current senior squad member Barry Murphy could mark the future for Munster back play.

Luke Fitzgerald

(Blackrock College, fullback/centre)

Arguably the most precocious talent in Irish schools rugby. This season is his third on the SCT at Blackrock.

Has won a junior and senior medal and last season was a losing finalist. Played fullback on last season's Ireland Schools team but is equally at home in the centre. Son of former Lansdowne, Leinster and Ireland prop Des, Luke is a tremendous talent.

A beautifully balanced and athletic runner with pace, he punches above his weight in the tackle.

Currently out for eight weeks with a broken collarbone, he will be missed in the upcoming Test match against Australia, but still a shoo-in for Ireland in the Under-19 World Cup.

Vasya Artemiev

(Blackrock College, wing)

The most famous Russian-born wing since Prince Obolensky.

Third year on Blackrock's SCT, he already has junior and senior winners' medals: he scored a hat-trick of tries in the Junior Cup final.

His family live in the Moscow suburbs, where his father is a banker.

Last season he was a regular try scorer for the Ireland Schools team and is likely to repeat those feats with the national under-19 side.

Strong and very quick, he is also very bright academically and has indicated that he would like to go to university in Ireland when he finishes school.

Irish rugby will be hoping he achieves that ambition.

Cian Healy

(Belvedere College hooker/prop)

If he continues to mature as a player then this young man seems destined for the Ireland senior team some day.

Power, physique, ball-carrying and athletic ability - he has all the attributes to become a top-quality modern professional prop.

Lined out at hooker - he didn't throw the ball into the lineout - for Belvedere College when they won the Leinster Schools Senior Cup last season, he also played for the Ireland Schools at prop.

Has also represented Ireland at athletics. Will play for the Ireland Under-19 team,and it'll be interesting to see how he fares against Australia (if selected) next month.

Very bright future.

Denis Fogarty

(Cork Constitution, Munster)

The former Rockwell schoolboy is a few years older than his contemporaries in this age structure. Was a member of the Ireland Under-21 team that got to the World Cup final in Glasgow a couple of years ago before going down to New Zealand. During that tournament he showed he had the wherewithal to compete at that level. He won a Munster Schools Senior Cup medal with Rockwell and also played with Ireland Schools.

A younger brother of Connacht hooker John, he made his European Cup debut for Munster in their 42-16 victory over Castres at Thomond Park when coming on for Jerry Flannery. Needs to work a little bit harder but there's no doubting his ability.