Division One

Today

Dungannon v DLSP Stevenson Park

With Paddy Johns back in harness and Johnny Bell's hand injury not as serious as initially feared, Dungannon are almost back to full-strength although Tony McWhirter (ankle) is again doubtful. Philip Werahiko has brought back dual status player Tommy James from Enniscorthy in a bid to solve out-half/goalkicking problem, while Kiwi flanker Bruce Woods is switched to centre. Ed Moore replaces injured tight-head Nigel Condon.

Buoyed by their second-half resolve against Shannon, Dungannon must be strong favourites to win; David Humphreys giving them a more prolific edge.

Formguide: Dungannon - L W W L. DLSP - L D L L.

Leading try scorers: Dungannon - David Humphreys, Tyrone Howe 2 each. DLSP - Eddie Devitt, Paul McDonnell, Damier Maher 1 each.

Leading points scorers: Dungannon - Humphreys 47. DLSP - Dave O'Riordan 12.

Last two seasons: Didn't meet, DLSP 13 Dungannon 20.

Referee: Murray Whyte (Leinster).

Betting: 1/10 Dungannon, 20/1 Draw, 11/2 DLSP. (Handicap = DLSP +16pts) 5/6 Dungannon, 16/1 Draw, 5/6 DLSP.

Forecast: Dungannon to win.

Young Munster v Terenure - Tom Clifford Park

Aside from the return of the Claw, Munsters' are further beefed up by the return of Ian Dillon to a muscular backrow, with James Carey in for Denis O'Dowd on the wing. Terenure make one change from the side which beat Buccs, Peter O'Malley coming in for Dermot Blaney at flanker.

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

Leading try scorers: Young Munster - Ger Earls, Tom Cregan 1 each. Terenure - N Ashley, R Governey, E Miller, D Lynagh, M Smyth, D Quinn 1 each.

Leading points scorers: Young Munster - Cregan 74. Terenure - David Lynagh 41.

Last two seasons: Young Munster 22 Terenure 16, Terenure 11 Young Munster 11.

Referee: David Tyndall (Leinster).

Betting: 1/3 Young Munster, 18/1 Draw, 9/4 Terenure. (Handicap + Terenure +7pts) 5/6 Young Munster, 16/1 Draw, 5/6 Terenure.

Forecast: Munsters to win.

Buccaneers v Clontarf - Ericsson Park

Buccs' will be grateful to welcome back their pack's linchpin Martyn Steffert, although Gavin Webster is still out while Stephen McIvor remains out of favour with Brian Rigney. Alan Dignam and Darragh McElligott return at flanker and centre for Clontarf, whose dual status prop Aidan Clarke is needed by Aer Lingus, and so Tommy Kearns returns. Their weak scrum will rarely look more ripe for plucking than against the Buccs' who are bound to react angrily to three defeats on the spin.

Formguide: Buccs - W L L L. Clontarf - L L L L.

Leading try scorers: Buccs - Martyn Steffert, Robert Lee 2 each. Clontarf - Craig Brownlie, Damien O'Brien 1.

Leading points scorers: Buccs - Simon Allnutt 30. Clontarf - Richie Murphy - 40.

Last two seasons: Didn't meet, Clontarf 34 Buccs 16.

Referee: Alan Watson (Ulster).

Betting: 1/5 Buccs, 18/1 Draw, 3/1 Clontarf. (Handicap odds = Clontarf +10pts) 5/6 Buccs, 16/1 Draw, 5/6 Clontarf.

Forecast: Buccs to win.

Ballymena v Cork Con - Eaton Park

Neither side has recorded an away win to date, suggesting the Eaton Park factor could sway things toward the home side, but Con won here two years ago. Con seem to be moving into gear, and O'Gara's return in a re-jigged backline (Anthony Horgan remains at full back, with Brian Walsh in at centre for the injured John Kelly and Adam Sherard on the wing) is a major boon.

Formguide: Ballymena - W L W L. Cork Con - L W L W.

Leading try scorers: Ballymena - Simon Broughton 3. Cork Con - A Horgan, M O'Driscoll, D Dillon, Cian Mahony, J Kelly, T Kiernan 1 each.

Leading points scorers: ballymena - Simon Mason 28. Cork Con - Ronan O'Gara - 21.

Last two seasons: Ballymena 6 Cork Con 19, Cork Con 21 Ballymena 12.

Referee: Donal Courtney (Leinster).

Betting: 9/4 Ballymena, 18/1 Draw, 1/3 Cork Con (Handicap odds = Ballymena + 7pts) 5/6 Ballymena, 16/1 Draw, 5/6 Cork Con.

Forecast: Cork Con to win.

Tomorrow

Garryowen v Shannon - Dooradoyle (3.00)

A couple of defeats each leaves little room for manoeuvre for Limerick's supposed Big Two. The switching of Killian Keane and Jeremy Staunton worked a treat for Garryowen last time out, and with all guns firing they'll extend Shannon to the wire. The one-time kingpins have lost their air of invincibility, Garryowen ending the unbeaten four-year run at Thomond Park being a notable landmark, but have impressively dug themselves out of a hole with successive wins. Liable to be only a score in it.

Formguide: Garryowen - W L L W. Shannon - L L W W.

Leading try scorers: Garryowen - David Wallace, Mark Connolly, Melvin McNamara 2 each. Shannon - Mick Galwey 2.

Leading points scorers: Garryowen - Killian Keane 21. Shannon - Conor Burke 33.

Last two seasons: Garryowen 14 Shannon 17, Shannon 20 Garryowen 23.

Referee: Dave McHugh (Munster).

Betting: 11/10 Garryowen, 18/1 Draw, 4/6 Shannon. (Handicap odds = Garryowen +3pts) 5/6 Garryowen, 16/1 Draw, 5/6 Shannon.

Forecast: Shannon to win.

Division Two

Today

S'day's Well v Wanderers - Musgrave Park

An horrendous 28-0 defeat last time out to Bective suggests Wanderers have given up the ghost whereas the Well will be smarting from their potentially costly defeat to Old Crescent and look better equipped to avert the mid-table slump of last season.

Last season: Wanderers 24 Sunday's Well 20.

Referee: Gareth Doyle (Ulster).

Forecast: Sunday's Well to win.

Malone v City of Derry - Gibson Park

City of Derry virtually have one foot in next season's first division. The tries have dried up a bit of late - 15 in their first four games, four in their last three - but they should still have too much forward durability and impact off the bench to eventually see off a Malone side.

Last season: City of Derry 25 Malone 19.

Referee: David Napier (Ulster).

Forecast: City of Derry to win.

O Belvedere v Old Crescent - Anglesea Road

The second promotion eight-pointer of the day between the third and first-placed teams has possibly the most long-term consequences. This young Belvo side has hit the richer vein of form of late, garnering 18 points from four successive wins and a maximum haul from their two home games to date.

Last season: Old Crescent 18 Old Belvedere 29.

Referee: Simon McDowell (Ulster).

Forecast: Old Belvedere to win.

Bective v Belfast 'Quins - Donnybrook

Two of the division's more unpredictable outfits. Harlequins have more name players and unlike Bective still have the games in hand to nurture hopes of promotion but that emphatic five-point haul against Wanderers suggests the Rangers may be about to hit a bit of form.

Last season: Didn't meet.

Referee: Ger Bennett (Munster)

Forecast: Bective to win.

Galwegians v Portadown - Crowley Park

Despite their nucleus of Connacht full-timers, Galwegians haven't really made an impact in this division. But judging by the way results have gone thus far, realistically they should be looking for maximum points from the division's bottom sides.

Last season: Didn't meet.

Referee: Ronnie McDowell (Munster)

Forecast: Galwegians to win.

Blackrock College v UCD - Stradbrook

UCD go into this game one place above their fifth placed hosts and remarkably clutching one of the promotion places. The tenacious students will never be more fired up for a match this season but generally they've struggled for tries whereas a classy Blackrock are the only team in the country to extract maximum points from their matches to date.

Last season: Didn't meet.

Referee: Olan Trevor (Munster).

Forecast: Blackrock to win.

Tomorrow

Dolphin v UCC - Musgrave Park

The students' unnerving decline in the league from about this point last year has continued apace amid their European run, but with that final 10 days away they should be relatively refreshed and focused enough to end a run of five games without a win.

Last season: UCC 14 Dolphin 29.

Referee: Leo Mayne (Munster).

Forecast: UCC to win.

Betting courtesy of Paddy Power