Last week, CBC Cork were the opponents in their final pre-Cup match. Although CBC got the better of the argument 17-16, Crescent were restricted to giving scrum-half Upton a 10-minute cameo with no involvement at all from Burke.

Coach Dudley Herbert is positive about their chances of making the quarter-final. But it is their lack of match practice that could tell against them and Herbert knows that Rís will be quick to spot any weaknesses.

More importantly, Upton and Burke are crucial to Crescent's ambition to play the 15-man game with Munster under-19 Schools full-back Sean Scanlon and second row Ken Hanley also central to the game plan.

It will give Rís some cause for optimism. They will go after their Limerick neighbours in the tight through the power of their front row. Munster Schools prop David Kilcoyne and hooker David Toomey will be assisted by James Burton, no mean performer himself.

There will be six players back from the side involved in the 13-12 defeat to Crescent at this stage last year. They will be doing well to get the close this time around.

Verdict Crescent

CASTLETROY v ST MUNCHIN'S Castletroy College are raring to go in their first year as seeded quarter-finalists and they warmed up for Thursday's challenge with St Munchin's College by axing the Limerick Institute of Technology freshers' side last Wednesday.

Six-feet-four Darragh Frawley is a Jack-of-alltrades who combines the diverse duties of secondrow ball-winner and goal-kicker in the same way that John Eales did for the Queensland Reds.

Number eight Sean Rennison will be asked to put them on the front foot so the silkier skills of Munster Schools full-back Ronan O'Mahony and centre Diarmuid McCarthy can make their slashing runs into the teeth of what is sure to be an aggressive defence.

St Munchin's won the cup in 2002, 2004 and 2006.

So, they are due a year off. The holders have just three players back from last year in captain Liam �?g Murphy, wing Gareth O'Hanlon and centre Michael McCarthy-Kelleher.

It is a young side with six of the eight forwards available again next year and Castletroy might just be able to spring a surprise, if they can get their Munster runners onto the ball in the right areas.

Verdict Castletroy

ROCKWELL v PBC CORK Presentation Brothers College Cork will look to get the ball into the hands of their playmaker and captain Scott Deasy, in his third year at this level, against Rockwell College at Musgrave Park on Wednesday.

Their main ball carriers in prop Peter Kelleher and Peter O'Mahony will make the hard yards and flankers Brian O'Hara - the son of former Ireland international Pat - and Niall Barry are pacy link players that look to get involved on the ground.

Rockwell took care of Glenstal 23-3 in their final preparations and they are a well-balanced side with stand-out forwards in Munster duo Ian Duffy, who is captain, and number eight James Ryan.

Their ace in attack is Munster Schools livewire centre Willie Devane and he will have to be carefully marshalled by Pres on an afternoon when the Cork boys should have enough to make the last four.

Verdict PBC Cork

CBC CORK v GLENSTAL ABBEY Christians will be unbackable favourites to get past qualifiers Glenstal College at Clanwilliam next Saturday.

Tight-head Aidan Foley has emerged as a natural leader and number eight Brian O'Callaghan will take the ball from the base of the scrum to service a backline that works well for its collective understanding, rather than as a tool for the brilliance of any individuals.

Glenstal Abbey paid a price for their 3-0 win from a penalty by Kerry footballer Danny �? Sé over Newtown School in the qualifier last Wednesday week.

Centre Cathal Hughes broke his arm and he will be replaced by Munster A Schools Finbarr Kearney, who returns from injury. Scrum-half Conan Reilly's shoulder has not responded to treatment and Jamie Hunt is bedding in.

Verdict CBC Cork