INJURY-hit Malone face one of the biggest matches of the season without three of their top players. Centre Maurice Field, who has been heavily involved with the Ulster and Irish squads, is unavailable for his club's opening AIL game against Greystones due to work commitments. Malone are also without Stuart Porter and their Ulster flanker and team captain, Stuart Duncan. Both are out due to injury.

It leaves the Ulster side at a decided disadvantage when they travel to Dr Hickey Park for their first game in Division Two.

Greystones, meanwhile are able to select from an injury-tree panel of players. Although the Wicklow side were relatively inactive over the summer in picking up new signings, their place in the final of the recent Floodlit Cup in conjunction with the Malone injuries might just give them the momentum for a positive start. Richy Murphy is likely to be again relied upon to contribute from his boot.

Clontarf, who face Malone next week, open their season at Castle Avenue against UCC. Stephen Lusk, who played for the first time after an eye injury last week, is again in the starting line-up for the home side in the second row while player/coach Brent Pope is forced out of the match with a broken thumb.

DLSP travel to Monkstown with four debutants. Wingers Mark Cunningham and Rory Sarsfield, out-half Tommy James and flanker Declan O'Brien all play in their first AIL match.

Dolphin are another team struck by injury, which should be good news for the travelling Wanderers. The Munster side will not be announcing their starting team until today when they hope to sort out at least six problematic areas.

Bective, who are away to Highfield in Cork, are awaiting the outcome of a fitness test on out half Vinny Cunningham and are also awaiting the decision of an appeal over Trevor Brennan. Both Brennan and Blackrock's Mike Brewer were sent off in an Old Belvedere Floodlit Cup quarter-final game. Brennan was given a three-week suspension, which should end on December 10th, with Brewer receiving two weeks.

In Division Three, Corinthians, who face Galwegians in a home derby, do so without their Galway corner forward Jarlath Fallon, who is out injured.

Corinthians are anxious to point out that, contrary to media reports, they are not paying their players, although they do provide basic AIL expenses. They may take some comfort that Galwegians, who have not yet named a team are also hampered in selection by injury.

Bohemians will be happy enough to welcome UCD to Thomond Park. Despite winning their recent colours match against Trinity, UCD begin the AIL sea"son without 18 players from last-year's panel. New Zealander Scott Jeyns comes in for the injured James Stone with prop Geof Lavery coming in for the Andy Graham. Bohemians, though, are worried that number eight Jim Culhane and centre Ivan Duggan may not pass fitness tests before Bangor offer up more walking wounded and can only take solace from the fact that this week's opponent, Queen's, are decimated by injury.

The students have seven first-team players on the sideline and Bangor have four. Bangor, however, welcome back Steven McKinty who has been on provincial duty for some time.

Division Four side Suttonians have no such injury worries but have only one player who has ever played in the AIL before Eamonn McKeon. His 14 other team mates, including 38-year-old Mark Shatwell who has been in the side for 20 years, are making their debut against CIYMS.

The fancied Ballynahinch, who are hosts to Richmond, have lost prop Ronnie Steel. Steel will be out with an ankle injury for several weeks. Back, though, from injury are scrum half Roger Erwin and winger Michael Finney.