The Schools' Cup has the distinction of being the world's second-oldest rugby competition, having been competed for every year since 1876.
The reformatting sought to avoid this and to extend the amount of meaningful rugby played by school teams.
[citation needed] The bulk of the teams entered the competition in the second round where they were joined by the first-round qualifiers.
[citation needed] The eight third-round winners proceeded to the fourth round where they were joined by eight seeded teams.
In the centenary year of the competition after the 1976 final, the governors of Methodist College presented a new shield, as the original had no more room to record the winners.
The first wooden shield is on exhibit at the Ulster Branch offices at Ravenhill Stadium.
The St. Patrick's Day final is televised live on BBC Northern Ireland.
Key The values for scores in rugby union have changed throughout the history of the competition.