(Kick-offs 2.30)
Buccaneers v shannon (Ericsson Park)
Buccaneers, smarting from their defeat by St Mary's will be fired up for this one and proudly defend their three-year unbeaten home record in regular combat. In Ballinalsoe, Shannon will have to get down and dirty. Without Alan Quinlan, they wait on Peter Stringer. If in the mood, undoubtedly they have the firepower up front, as they showed last year, to subdue the Buccaneers juggernaut. And, as one of only two sides with two losses, their need is the greater.
Last two seasons: Didn't meet, Shannon 36 Buccaneers 3.
Form so far: Buccaneers - W L. Shannon - L L.
Referee: M Whyte (Leinster).
Bookies odds (all courtesy of Paddy Powers): 8/11 Buccaneers, 16/1 draw, 11/10 Shannon. (Handicap betting - Shannon +2pts) 5/6 Buccaneers, 18/1 draw, 5/6 Shannon.
Forecast: Shannon to win.
Dungannon v Constitution (Stevenson Park)
Ever-present and mainstays for three seasons, suddenly the champions are without both Brian O'Meara and Ronan O'Gara (Colm Murphy and Conor Mahony fill in). Dungannon could be without David Humphreys, Justin Fitzpatrick and Tyrone Howe as well, yet they mightn't be as big an upheaval, especially at home.
Last two seasons: Dungannon 18 Cork Con 9; Didn't meet.
Form so far: Dungannon - L W. Cork Con - L W.
Referee: B Campsall (RFU).
Odds: 8/11 Dungnanon, 16/1 draw, 11/10 Cork Con. (Handicap - Cork Con +2pts) 5/6 Dungannon, 18/1 draw, 5/6 Cork Con.
Forecast: Dungannon to win.
Young Munster v DLSP (Clifford Park)
As forecast, at last Young Munster have a goalkicker and the difference Tom Cregan (42 points in his first two starts) has been palpable. But unless Mike Mullins does damage, they still aren't the most potent of try-scorers. At full-strength DLSP will be well-organised and well-prepared, and have a match-winner of their own in Shane Stephens. But a potential goalkicking edge, their early momentum and home advantage may tip the scales Munsters' way.
Last two seasons: Didn't meet; didn't meet.
Form so far: Young Munster - W W. DLSP - L D.
Referee: A Watson (Ulster).
Odds: 2/7 Young Munster, 20/1 draw, 5/2 DLSP. (Handicap - DLSP +9pts) 5/6 Young Munster, 18/1 draw, 5/6 DLSP.
Forecast: Munsters to shade it.
Lansdowne v Terenure (Lansdowne Road)
Terenure, as John Hall professed after Garryowen beat them in round one, may be better than last season, and by extension better than some of us gave them credit for. This could be one of the day's most entertaining and high-scoring affairs, with Shane Horgan and Girvan Dempsey under the Eddie O'Sullivan microscope. Terenure have been tricky opponents for Lansdowne, too, of late, but with a whiff of revenge, Lansdowne's good start could continue.
Last two seasons: Lansdowne 9 Terenure 9; Terenure 14 Lansdowne 7.
Form so far: Lansdowne W D. Terenure L W.
Referee: D McHugh (Leinster).
Odds: 4/9 Lansdowne, 16/1 draw, 7/4 Terenure. (Handicap - Terenure +6pts) 5/6 Lansdowne, 18/1 draw, 5/6 Terenure.
Forecast: Lansdowne to win.
Garryowen v St Mary's (Dooradoyle)
As things stand, Garryowen's need is the greater after defeat last time out, although for St Mary's this is a gilt-edged chance to erase some painful memories and overcome a huge mental hurdle on the road to redemption, as well as putting them two wins ahead of one of their main rivals.
Garryowen, though, are back in harness, with Connie Botha returning along with the prodigal Keith Wood, David Wallace, Jeremy Staunton and perhaps the most influential of all, Killian Keane. It will be surprising if the issue isn't in doubt until the last whistle. St Mary's certainly have the forward clout and pace cum scoring potential out wide to make the biggest statement of the campaign so far.
Last two seasons: Garryowen 13 St Mary's 12; St Mary's 17 Garryowen 7 (and semi-final) Garryowen 19 St Mary's 17.
Form so far: Garryowen - W L. St Mary's - W W.
Referee: R McDowell (Munster).
Odds: 5/6 Garryowen, 16/1 draw, 5/6 St Mary's.
Forecast: St Mary's to win.
Ballymena V Clontarf (Eaton Park)
No James Topping, further reducing Ballymena's cutting edge, and after their rout at Terenure, this has the makings of a relegation eight-pointer already. Clontarf could well spring a surprise, although if Bernard Jackman is ruled out, that will further diminish their struggling tight five.
Last two seasons: Ballymena 46 Clontarf 18; Clontarf 17 Ballymena 40.
Form so far: Ballymena - W L. Clontarf - L L.
Referee: T Redmond (Leinster).
Odds: 1/2 Ballymena, 16/1 draw, 13/8 Clontarf. (Handicap - Clontarf +5pts) 5/6 Ballymena, 18/1 draw, 5/6 Clontarf.
Forecast: Ballymena to win.
Division Two
Derry v Galwegians (Judge's Road)
Successive defeats, albeit narrowly, to the Munster promotion aspirants, Crescent and Sunday's Well, have rather put City of Derry's own hopes and early form into perspective. Given Galwegians' own hard-earned win away against Crescent, they're entitled to fancy their chances of preserving their unbeaten record but the Derrymen will be smarting from successive losses and so their need is greater.
Last season: Didn't meet.
Form so far: City of Derry - W W W W L L. Galwegians - W W W.
Referee: D Courtney (Leinster).
Forecast: City of Derry to win.
UCC v Greystones (Dr Hickey Park)
UCC are once again showing signs that a protracted run to their European final has distracted them from more mundane domestic matters following successive defeats by two of three teams below them. As bottom-placed Greystones are the others, another defeat would be ominous. Greystones had been competitive against promotion aspirants until their latest offering, an ominous 39-9 rout by Old Belvedere.
Last season: Greystones 25 UCC 19.
Form so far: UCC - W L L L. Greystones - L L L L L.
Referee: G Bennett (Munster)
Forecast: UCC to win.
Bective Rangers v Malone (Donnybrook)
Despite nurturing real hopes of promotion, Bective don't appear to have quite sufficient clout, while Malone have gone backwards. This time last year they were table toppers. Taken in conjunction with their fall last season, Malone look to be spiralling downwards.
Last season: Malone 9 Bective 12.
Form so far: Bective - L W L W. Malone - L L L L W L.
Referee: B Smith (Munster).
Forecast: Bective to win.
UCD v Old Crescent (Belfield)
Newly promoted, young, fit and eager, well coached and not even regarded within their own club as serious promotion candidates, UCD have been playing with a certain freedom and a couple of one-point wins may have given them a slightly misleading top-four position. Crescent may not be quite as good as they hope but if they are to go up, this will be a revealing barometer of their chances.
Last season: Didn't meet.
Form so far: UCD - W L W W. Old Crescent - W W W L W.
Referee: M Orr (Ulster).
Forecast: Crescent to win.
Blackrock v Harlequins (Stradbrook)
Match of the day by a street in Division Two. In theory, AIL fare could be a bit more of a downer for Blackrock's half-dozen Leinstermen whereas Harlequins haven been relatively unaffected by Ulster's sad season. However, Blackrock are bristling with youthful vigour and a yearning desire for an immediate and decisive return to the top flight; and they look the class act in this flight.
Last season: Didn't meet.
Form so far: Blackrock - W W. Belfast Harlequins - W W.
Referee: L Mayne (Munster).
Forecast: Blackrock to win.
Portadown v Sunday's Well (Chambers Park)
Gone is the near impregnability of Chambers Park this season, as Portadown have shipped more points than anyone, although there were clear signs of the old resilience when breaking their duck at UCC. Sunday's Well have done enough to suggest they are at least fringe promotion contenders.
Last season: Sunday's Well 30 Portadown 13.
Form so far: Portadown - L L L L L W. Sunday's Well - W L W W.
Referee: D Keane (Leinster).
Forecast: Sunday's Well to win.
Dolphin v OLD Belvedere (Musgrave Park)
After their flirtation with relegation last term, Dolphin have regrouped well but Stephen Dods's emphasis on youth and reconstruction is starting to bear fruit for Belvedere.
Last season: Dolphin 8 Old Belvedere 5.
Form so far: Dolphin - W L L W L L. Old Belvedere - W L W W.
Referee: S McDowell (Ulster).
Forecast: Belvedere to win.
