First Division (2.30)

Ballymena V Old Crescent, Eaton Park

This looks about the division's only banker of the day. The feeling is reinforced by the varying form-guides, Ballymena's excellent home record (one defeat this season and last), a virtual full-strength side with Derek Topping coming in for Jason Taggart and Crescent's Andre Human having to assess the fitness of five key players.

Last three seasons: (99-00) Didn't meet. (98-99) Didn't meet. (97-98) Old Crescent 9 Ballymena 6.

Formguide: Ballymena - W W W D. Old Crescent - L W L L.

Leading try scorers: Ballymena - Shane Stewart 3, Mark Blair 3. Old Crescent - Wayne Munn 3.

Leading points scorers: Ballymena - Neil Doak 22. Old Crescent - Brian Begley 39.

Referee: Bertie Smith (IRFU).

Odds (all courtesy of Paddy Power) 1/8 Ballymena, 25/1 Draw, 9/1 Old Crescent. Handicap betting (Old Crescent + 16pts). 10/11 Ballymena, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Old Crescent.

Forecast: Ballymena to win.

St Mary's v Galwegians, Templeville Road

Match of the day, if not the weekend, featuring the upwardly mobile and unbeaten second-placed side and the defending champions. Brent Pope reports no late problems to a strong enough selection - albeit without Denis Hickie and Malcolm O'Kelly for the first of five games during the championship - while John Kingston as usual will not reveal his hand. Only Gavin Duffy and Junior Charlie are doubts. This is something of an acid test for 'Wegians who have yet to meet a fellow top five side. However, they looked damned impressive away to 'Rock and though not inclined to roll over weaker sides have proven their mental toughness and organisation in close games. Should be interesting.

Last three seasons: Didn't meet, Galwegians 10 St Mary's 17, didn't meet.

Formguide: St Mary's - L L W W. Galwegians - W W W W W.

Leading try scorers: Ray McIlreavy, Peter McKenna, Eddie Hekenui 1 each. Galwegians - Gavin Duffy 4.

Leading points scorers: St Mary's - Hekenui 25. Galwegians - Eric Elwood 57.

Referee: Dave McHugh (IRFU).

Odds: 2/5 St Mary's, 18/1 Draw, 7/4 Galwegians. Handicap betting (= Galwegians + 6pts) 10/11 St Mary's, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Galwegians.

Forecast: Galwegians to win.

Young Munster v Dungannon, Tom Clifford Park

Mike Mullins will play following his demotion to the Irish As but with Peter Clohessy's absence compounded by Peter McLoughlin's unavailability, not to mention Mick Fitzgerald's bout of flu, Matt Te Pau does have a potential prop crisis. Dungannon, meantime, are at full-strength save for Tyrone Howe, even to the extent of Ryan Constable making his long awaited AIL debut. Munsters could do with Mullins' dynamic running but Constable's attacking class, coupled with the points gathering and inventiveness of Humphreys and their big men up front, could possibly give Dungannon enough of a cutting edge.

Last three seasons: Young Munster 25 Dungannon 15, didn't meet, Young Munster 29 Dungannon 13.

Formguide: Young Munster - W L L W. Dungannon L W L W.

Leading try scorers: Young Munster - Casey, Hogan, Mullins, O'Connell, Connolly, Rose 1 each. Dungannon - Bryn Cunningham 2.

Leading points scorers: Young Munster - Mike Lynch 21. Dungannon - David Humphreys - 61.

Referee: Donal Courtney (IRFU).

Odds: 4/6 Young Munster, 16/1 Draw, 11/10 Dungannon. Handicap betting ( Dungannon + 3pts) 10/11 Young Munster, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Dungannon.

Forecast: Dungannon to win.

Clontarf V Lansdowne, Castle Avenue

Clontarf's Jekyll and Hyde character seems mainly down to the venue. Whatever about their troubles away, their impressive home form, featuring handsome wins over Buccs and Dungannon, has them breathing a bit easier than normally at this juncture. Injuries took their toll on Lansdowne over Christmas and once more they are without Shane Horgan and Gus Hamilton, with Liam Toland (neck) more doubtful than the in-form Gordon D'Arcy (back). Nonetheless they remain the cognoscenti's idea of Leinster's best bet for the play-offs.

Last three seasons: Clontarf 3 Lansdowne 26, Lansdowne 15 Clontarf 6, Clontarf 42 Lansdowne 10.

Formguide: Clontarf - W L W L L. Lansdowne - D W W L L.

Leading try scorers: Clontarf - Bobby Baggott 3. Lansdowne -

Leading points scorers: Clontarf - Richie Murphy 50. Lansdowne - Lorcan O'Brien, Aidan McCullen 2 each.

Referee: Scott Young (Australia).

Odds: 11/10 Clontarf, 16/1 Draw, 4/6 Lansdowne. Handicap betting (Clontarf + 3pts) 10/11 Clontarf, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Lansdowne.

Forecast: Lansdowne to win.

Buccaneers V Terenure, Ericsson Park

Buccaneers are suffering, and judged on their last outing away to DLSP look a limited side. Desperation focuses the mind however, and one senses that a big performance, especially at home, must be due.

Terenure have flattered to deceive thus far though admittedly defeats to Shannon and Cork Con back-to-back are unforgivable. Terenure looked like a side who possibly needed an enforced break so as to regroup, but today should tell a tale.

Last three seasons: Terenure 10 Buccs 6, Buccs 21 Terenure 16, didn't meet.

Formguide: Buccs - L L L L L. Terenure - D W L L.

Leading try scorers: Buccs - O'Brien, Yapp, Walker, McVeigh, C Rigney, Barrett, Robinson, D Rigney 1 each. Terenure - David Coleman 4.

Leading points scorers: Buccs - Eamonn Molloy - 31. Terenure - Shane Cullen 29.

Referee: Simon McDowell (IRFU).

Odds: 7/4 Buccs, 18/1 Draw, 2/5 Terenure. Handicap betting (Buccs + 6pts) 10/11 Buccs, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Terenure.

Forecast: Terenure to win.

Blackrock v DLSP, Stradbrook

Blackrock should field as selected, which will mean a welcome return to action for the unlucky but hugely talented Brian Carey. That is if they get good, front foot ball to him. Well though their strong tight five played against 'Wegians, the slightly limited ambit of their running game made them easier to defend against than should have been the case.

Inspired partly by the return of the talismanic Declan O'Brien, DLSP utterly deserved to beat Buccs a couple of weeks ago in a back game, which could give them a bit of an edge and accordingly are unchanged. If DLSP's tight five holds up, especially in the scrums, they could spring a surprise.

Last three seasons: Didn't meet, didn't meet, didn't meet.

Formguide: Blackrock - W L L L. DLSP - L L L L W.

Leading try scorers: Blackrock - Turner, Noble, Jackson, McGowan, Ferris, Casey, Cullen, Halpin. DLSP - Mihai Vioreanu 3, Eddie Devitt, Bruce Wood 2 each.

Leading points scorers: Blackrock - Alan McGowan 33. DLSP - Damien McCabe 22.

Referee: Gareth Doyle (IRFU).

Odds: 1/5 Blackrock, 22/1 Draw, 7/2 DLSP. Handicap betting (DLSP + 12pts) 10/11 Blackrock, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 DLSP.

Forecast: DLSP to win.

Belfast Harlequins v Garryowen, Ormeau

Harlequins, buoyed by their competitive showing in Galwegians, merely reshuffle their backrow with Neil Best coming in alongside Gerard O'Loan and Chris McCarey. Garryowen, have made a slightly curious selection with converted hooker Pat Humphreys playing instead of David Wallace at openside and winger Paul McDonagh making a seasonal reappearance in place of Dominic Crotty at full back. Mike Roberts debuts on the wing and hooker Garret Walsh makes his first start in a youthful selection.

They could be prey to a surprise mugging but the steadying hand of Killian Keane (at outhalf) and the rejuvenated form of Tom Tierney and Jeremy Staunton (at centre) might still sway it for them.

Last three seasons: Didn't meet, didn't meet, didn't meet.

Formguide: B/Harlequins - L L W L. Garryowen - L L W D.

Leading try scorers: B/Harlequins - Robin Morrow 3. Garryowen - Jeremy Staunton 1.

Leading points scorers: B/Harlequins - Morrow 15. Garryowen - Jeremy Staunton 49.

Referee: Alain Rolland (IRFU).

Odds: 13/8 B/Harlequins, 18/1 Draw, 4/9 Garryowen. Handicap betting (B/Harlequins + 5pts) 10/11 B/Harlequins, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 B/Harlequins.

Forecast: Garryowen to win.

Tomorrow

Shannon v Cork Constitution, Thomond Park - Live on RTE.

Match of the weekend. It mightn't scale the heights of some past meetings but it's still a heavyweight duel. Shannon are without their international quintet from last weekend, but welcome back the influential John Langford and for all that make only four changes from the team which routed 'Tarf - a positive reflection on the way they have adapted to the vagaries of their success. It's also a useful enough selection to give a Con side without the Brian O'Meara-Ronan O'Gara axis a stern test. Conor Mahony assumes a big load in reverting to out-half and inheriting the goalkicking, though he's an accomplished player well up to the task, while ex-Mary's scrumhalf Alan O'Sullivan makes his debut.

Last three seasons: Shannon 17 Cork Con 28; Cork Con 26 Shannon 19, Corsk Con 11 Shannon 12.

Formguide: Shannon - W W W W. Cork Con - W W W W W.

Leading try scorers: Shannon - Marcus Horan 3. Cork Con - Craig Taylor 4, Brian O'Meara 3.

Leading points scorers: Shannon - Andrew Thompson 43. Cork Con - O'Meara 58.

Referee: Alan Lewis (IRFU).

Betting: Evens Shannon, 16/1 Draw, 8/11 Cork Con. Handicap betting (Shannon + 2pts) 10/11 Shannon, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Cork Con.

Forecast: Cork Con to win.

Division Two (2.30)

UCC v Dolphin, Mardyke

Two Cork sides who have found a bit of form lately, Dolphin after a run of fixtures against the top sides which contributed to a sequence of six defeats in a row. But even though their need is much the greater the students, happily ensconced in mid-table, should win according to the division's formguide - unreliable though that is.

Last season: Dolphin 29 UCC 14.

Five-game formguide: UCC - L W W L W. Dolphin - L L L D W.

Referee: Tony Redmond (IRFU).

Forecast: UCC to win.

Sunday's Well V UCD, Musgrave Park

The Well are an altogether different proposition on their own patch, where they have won all four games to date, but big wins over Bective and Old Belvedere either side of the colours win suggests UCD are finally starting to hit their stride.

Last season: UCD 35 Sunday's Well 15.

Five-game formguide: UCD - W L D W W. Sunday's Well - W L W L W.

Referee: Alan Rowe (Connacht).

Forecast: UCD to win.

Malone v Old Belvedere, Gibson Park

AFTER some much improved form moved them away from the relegation zone Malone came a cropper last time out away to Dolphin and Old Belvedere need to bounce back from the defeat at UCD which cost them the divisional leadership.

Last season: Malone 10 Old Belvedere 25.

Five-game formguide: L W W L W. Old Belvedere - W L W W L.

Referee: Leo Mayne (Munster).

Forecast: Old Belvedere to win.

Greystones v Carlow, Dr Hickey Park

AFTER their free-scoring start to the season, the tries have dried up a little for Greystones although they are another of the mid-table side's unbeaten at home and could seriously inconvenience the new leaders. But Carlow's defence, comfortably the best in the league, has been the backbone of a midwinter run of four successive wins.

Last season: Didn't meet.

Five-game formguide: Greystones - L W L W L. Carlow - L W W W W.

Referee: Olan Trevor (IRFU).

Forecast: Carlow to win.

Portadown v Midleton, Chambers Park

Portadown have turned the corner, and but for a surprise first home defeat to UL Bohs would have won five on the spin, whereas Midleton's post-promotion enthusiasm seems to have worn off judging by five games without a win.

Last season: Didn't meet.

Five-game formguide: Portadown - W W W L W.. Midleton - L D L L L.

Referee: David Keane (Leinster).

Forecast: Portadown to win.

Ballynahinch v Bective Rangers, Ballymacarn Park

Ballynahinch are yet another unbeaten home side but the Rangers look more genuine promotion candidates, albeit fringe ones, who need to keep on winning if they're to stay on the heels of the leading quartet, the win at Midleton adding to the impression that they are just about a cut above the middle rump.

Last season: Didn't meet.

Five-game formguide: Ballynahinch - W D L D L. Bective - W W L L W.

Referee: Paul Eakin (Ulster).

Forecast: Bective to win.

Old Wesley v Wanderers, Donnybroook

It's all proving a bit of a struggle for Old Wesley, and after a brief upturn in fortunes three successive defeats have kept them in the relegation zone. By contrast, Owen Cobbe is steering Wanderers to the relatively safe haven of mid-table after three wins in the last four and they look altogether more competitive for this flight.

Last season: Didn't meet.

Five-game formguide: Old Wesley - L W L L L. Wanderers - L W W W L.

Referee: Marshall Kilgore (Ulster).

Forecast: Wanderers to win.