Last year's defeated semi-finalists St Mary's travel to Dungannon not quite in the fighting condition they would like to be for the first AIB All-Ireland League match of the season. Touted as one of the main forces in Division One, coach Brent Pope brings his side to Stevenson Park with a list of injuries but also with an air of optimism.
While the encouraging news is that Malcolm O'Kelly has not yet been decisively ruled out of the squad, it is also not definite that the international second row will be available for the game. O'Kelly injured his neck and shoulder playing for Leinster. If he is not fit to play - a decision which will be delayed as long as possible - his place will be taken by Peter Sullivan.
Together with Conor McGuinness, who must wait for another operation on his problematic toe, international flanker Trevor Brennan has been advised by his doctors to take a further month off because of a recurring shoulder injury, which means he is unlikely to play before Christmas. This obviously closes a number of options for Pope in his new challenge.
Centre Ray McIlreavy, who has not played for a number of weeks also because of a shoulder problem, is definitely unavailable allowing Leinster out-half Mark McHugh to come into the centre. This shuffle in at out-half, with McHugh's bulk allowing him to become the utility player, joining Gareth Gannon as the centre-pairing. Irish winger Denis Hickey takes the captaincy following the unavailability of both Brennan and McGuinness.
Opponents Dungannon pick from a squad with only one important omission, that of international utility player Johnny Bell. Director of coaching Willie Anderson yesterday said that he had received written confirmation that Bell was suffering from concussion. The Ulster and Irish player was forced out of Ulster's European Cup match at Ravenhill against Wasps just before half-time on Friday. His position at full back is filled by Mark Bradley.
"There's a few guys I'll be looking for a big game from," said Pope yesterday. "It has often been St Marys' problem - the big expectations placed on them year-in year-out. But you only have to look at what happened to Ballymena last season to see what provincial rugby can do to the clubs."
Pope also points to mundane issues that affect players such as Victor Costello and O'Kelly, who have to adapt at short notice to three different sets of line-out calls used in club, province and international teams.
Shannon, one of the hardest hit by provincial rugby, are still waiting to select but report nothing serious other than bumps and bruises. The team will be announced today as selectors take account of the players, 11 of whom have been involved in some way or other with provincial competition.
In Division Two, Galwegians are bullish about their prospects this year and are determined to play in the top flight next season. Travelling to Malone for their first match of the campaign, they do so with former Richmond coach John Kingston. Kingston also brought over England under-21 prop Andy Kershaw, who can play on both sides of the scrum, while hooker Paul Cleary, returning from America, has been added to the panel.
Junior Charlie is back to match-fitness after a lengthy absence due to a knee injury and would have travelled to Romania last week but for work permit problems. New Zealander Mark McConnell also adds flair and pace in the second row with Eric Elwood, Pat Duignan, Mervyn Murphy and Matt Mostyn all providing international experience to the side.
The only doubt is flanker Neil Taylor, who fractured a bone in his hand some weeks ago. Although possibly not match-fit he is available for selection. Galwegians will not announce their team until an hour before each game. This will be the format throughout the season.
