They provide a starting point for Ireland qualified players that has led to players representing the National Team, Ireland A, Development, Provincial, Students, Irish U-20 and AIL teams.

[6] Currently in both the Republic and Northern Ireland there are 246 Schools playing rugby; Ulster (107), Leinster (75), Munster (41) and Connacht (23).

Despite the age group the qualifying games and finals are usually very well attended with crowds often better than those attending most adult club games, for Leinster Schools Cup Finals crowds of 15–20,000 are not unusual.

[15] Since 2011, the team has taken part in the annual European Under-18 Rugby Union Championship, winning the title in this competition in 2011.

2011 marked the first time that Ireland was represented by a schools team rather than a Clubs XV.