Division One
Dungannon v St Mary's Stevenson Park (2.30).
Whereas Dungannon are virtually at full-strength, save for the absent Johnny Bell, a reconstructed and slightly patched-up St Mary's, already without Conor McGuinness and Ray McIlreavy, wait on Malcolm O'Kelly. With Dungannon aided by post-promotion optimism and home advantage, and keen to avenge a record 70-29 hammering two seasons ago, St Mary's could be prey to an opening-day mugging.
Referee: Ronnie McDowell (Munster).
Last season: Didn't meet.
Odds (all courtesy of Paddy Powers): 5/6 Dungannon, 16/1 Draw, 5/6 St Mary's.
Forecast: Dungannon.
Young Munster v Clontarf Clifford Park (2.30).
As ever, Munsters are upbeat about their chances again this season, following the arrival of Mike Mullins and emergence of new young tyros, whereas Clontarf suffered a bit of a haemorrhaging, especially up front. Even without Des Clohessy, Munsters' scrum and forward power on the day of Alex Wyllie's AIL bow, although clashes between these two have been low-scoring and tight.
Referee: Olan Trevor (Munster).
Last season: Clontarf 6 Young Munster 3.
Betting: (Clontarf +7pts) 5/6 Young Munster, 16/1 Draw, 5/6 Clontarf.
Forecast: Young Munster.
Lansdowne v Shannon Lansdowne Road (2.30)
Lansdowne have been hit by the withdrawal of flanker Liam Toland (toe) - Stephen Rooney comes in - while Gordon D'Arcy (shoulder) is doubtful, in which case Australian Gus Hamilton would make his AIL debut at full back. By comparison, Shannon are effectively at full-strength, with Peter Stringer making his AIL debut behind five of his pack from last week; buttressed by Marcus Horan, Mark McDermott and Eddie Halvey. Lansdowne won this fixture two seasons ago, but were the victims of Shannon's best display last term. Coming from the European Cup, and especially Munster's 'high', might constitute a downer for most players, but knowing Shannon, probably not theirs.
Referee: Bertie Smith (Munster).
Last season: Shannon 35 Lansdowne 0.
Betting: (Lansdowne +4pts) 5/6 Lansdowne, 16/1 Draw, 5/6 Shannon.
Forecast: Shannon.
Ballymena v DLSP Eaton Park (2.15).
Presumably super fit and traditionally strong starters, Ballymena will eye up their first three fixtures as a chance to make another early challenge. But they lost seven of their last eight matches last season and have a remodelled team (with a promised, more fluid approach). DLSP travel for their first game in the first division with a settled side at full-strength, and given their organisation could spring the opening day's biggest shock.
Referee: Tony Redmond (Leinster).
Last season: Didn't meet.
Odds: (DLSP +14pts) 5/6 Ballymena, 16/1 Draw, 5/6 DLSP.
Forecast: DLSP.
Buccaneers v Cork Con Moher Road, Ballinasloe (2.30).
A repeat of last season's semi-final, Con seem to have made the more seamless transition from last season, which they finished off with nine straight wins. The tighter, more rural confines of Moher Road, combined with a poor forecast, is liable to make this a close-run affair, which could ultimately come down to the performances or a place-kick or two between Simon Allnutt and the in-form Ronan O'Gara, and Con have enough neglected representative players to be hungry again.
Referee: Alan Lewis (Leinster).
Last season: Cork Con 32 Buccs 25; (semi-final) Cork Con 32 Buccs 20.
Betting: (Buccs +3pts) 5/6 Buccs, 16/1 Draw, 5/6 Con.
Forecast: Cork Constitution.
Garryowen v Terenure Dooradoyle (2.30)
Still smarting from successive defeats in the final, no-one should be more desirous than Garryowen. The league's most consistent club have been given the timely fillip of Keith Wood's return and they are liable to have too much firepower up front and all-round enthusiasm for a largely unproven Terenure.
Referee: David Tyndall (Leinster).
Last season: Terenure 6 Garryowen 20.
Betting: (Terenure +11pts) 5/6 Garryowen, 16/1 Draw, 5/6 Terenure.
Forecast: Garryowen.
Division Two
Bective v Greystones Donnybrook (2.30).
Despite new-found optimism and the prospect of eight AIL debutants today, Bective have had an undistinguished warm-up campaign. Ditto Greystones admittedly, and they must also be still shellshocked from forfeiting a 36-10 lead with 30 minutes to go last week.
Referee: Simon McDowell (Ulster).
Forecast: Bective.
Belfast 'Quins v Sunday's Well Deramore Park (2.30).
A significant early pointer towards the promotion race between two of the very live, if fringe contenders. Buoyed by the return of Ken O'Connell, the Well have already dismissed the lightweight challenge of Malone, but optimism is high at the new amalgamated Belfast club given their sprinkling of provincial players and encouraging warm-up form.
Referee: Donal Courtney (Leinster).
Forecast: Belfast Harlequins.
Blackrock v Dolphin Stradbrook (2.30).
The moment of truth for Blackrock after their heartbreaking last-day drop in April, since when they've been steadily and stealthily rebuilding for this campaign. Dolphin upset Blackrock's promotion hopes back in the early 1990s but they were made of sterner stuff then and Blackrock's relative galaxy of stars should have too much clout and class.
Referee: Padraig Gilmore (Connacht).
Forecast: Blackrock.
City Of Derry v Portadown Judge's Road (2.30).
This doubles up as an Ulster League decider, with Derry set to augment their first ever Ulster Cup with a first league crown provided they don't lose by 28 points or more. Given they've proven their intent with last week's comeback in Greystones, have an imposing pack, never-say-die spirit, a strong bench, nice halves and Judge's Road is liable to be one of the more unforgiving venues for Division Two visiting teams, they're more likely to win by that margin.
Referee: Leo Mayne (Munster).
Forecast: City of Derry.
Malone v Galwegians Gibson Park (2.30).
Promotion contenders until falling away last season, Malone have since lost impressive Kiwi coach Paul Henderson, and although they're much better at home, last week's blank at the Well didn't augur well. Galwegians have been down this road before and this could be one case of provincial distractions being a blessing.
Referee: Gordon Black (Leinster).
Forecast: Galwegians.
Old Crescent v Wanderers Rosbrien (2.30)
Despite being pillaged by Garryowen once more, Crescent seem to have regrouped with a strong Southern Hemisphere infusion. Encouraging warm-up form was augmented by last week's win over Portadown whereas Wanderers' misfiring, self-inflicted defeat to UCD must have been a kick in the teeth.
Referee: Paul Eakin (Ulster).
Forecast: Old Crescent.
UCD v Old Belevedere Belfield Bowl (2.30)
Despite latest summer haemorrhaging, UCD remain an enthusiastic, well-coached team who will catch any of the bigger lights on an off-day, as they showed last week. The loss of Andy Dunne, will motivate them some more, but Old Belvedere's young team have come through a transitional phase impressively under Stephen Dods and if they aspire to promotion games such as these provide a telling barometer.
Referee: David Napier (Ulster).
Forecast: Old Belvedere.
