Saturday (2.30 unless stated)
Ballymena v Buccaneers, Eaton Park (2.15)
No question Ballymena are struggling this season. Most of their Ulster players are still injured or unavailable including Mark Blair, who was to play this week but dislocated a wrist midweek. Captain Dean McCartney is also out. Neil McMillen, however, returns for his first club game. With their powerful pack and useful runners, Buccaneers should be disappointed with anything other than a win.
Formguide: Ballymena LLWLLL Buccaneers WLWLDW
Leading try scorers: Ballymena - G Mitchell, A Maxwell 2; Buccaneers - T Robinson 3
Leading points scorers: Ballymena - P McIntosh 61; Buccaneers - C Glynn 70
Referee: D Tyndall
Forecast: Visitors to win
Sunday
Galwegians v Lansdowne, Crowley Park
Galwegians, now that all their Connacht players are available, have the look of a side that could begin to do damage. Eric Elwood is hopeful but front row Marnus Uijs is still injured, while Brian Shelbourne is unlikely to play which may force Gavin Duffy to number 10.
Lansdowne hope to have Leinster centre Adam Magro and Liam Toland, while Brian Cusack comes in for business-tied Gabriel Fulcher and Stephen O'Connor for injured number 8 Garret Molloy.
Formguide: Galwegians LLWLLL Lansdowne WWLLWL
Leading try scorers: Galwegians - M Murphy, R Lee, B Liddy, G Duffy 1; Lansdowne - A Ronan, A McGowan, C McMahon 1
Leading points scorers: Galwegians - B Shelbourne 43; Lansdowne - A McGowan 62
Referee: T Redmond
Forecast: Galwegians
Blackrock v Carlow, Stradbrook
Carlow's Andy Melville is doubtful because of a chest infection but worse complaints have not kept the inspirational number 8 off the pitch. Centre Russell Armstrong is also doubtful in the centre and Robert Byrne stands by. Blackrock have doubts over Nathan Spooner but they have won their last two matches against Young Munster and Shannon. Blackrock will have to endure more ferocity than usual. The question is: can they?
Formguide: Blackrock WLLWW Carlow WLWWDW
Leading try scorers: Blackrock - G Browne 4; Carlow - M Spiller, B Baggott, A Melville 3
Top point scorers: Blackrock - C Kilroy 40; Carlow - M Waterhouse 15
Referee: L Mayne
Forecast: Carlow
DLSP v Garryowen, Kilternan
Ray Niland returns to the centre for Garryowen, with Conor Richardson shifting to the right wing for Diarmuid O'Riordan. John O'Sullivan moves to the second row for David Fitzgibbon, while Peter Malone goes to number 8 and Conor Hartigan comes in at wing forward. Killian Keane plays at full back as Jeremy Staunton is on the Munster bench. John Giltenane replaces Kieran Laurin at loose head.
DLSP hope their back row remains intact with injuries to Seβn McCarthy and Jacques Deen, while former rugby league international centre Jason Critchley and right wing Mark McGuinness are also hoping to line out. If captain Colin Varley can lead from blind side by example Garryowen could nick it.
Formguide: DLSP LLLWWL Garryowen WDWWWL
Leading try scorers: DLSP - M Vioreanu 5; Garryowen - K Keane 2
Leading points scorers: DLSP - D McCabe 37; Garryowen - B Treacy 69
Referee: P Eakin
Forecast: Garryowen
Shannon v Young Munster, Thomond Park
Shannon hope to start with the team that beat St Mary's so handily last Sunday. They must first wait for the Munster match to unravel today before they commit to a formation. Young Munster, now off the ground with their first win of the season (against DLSP), might have wanted an easier rebound game. Two wins in a row would rescue their pre-Christmas season. But it is hard to see that happening in Thomond Park, even though Mark Connolly and Clem Casey returned last week to the back line, with Colm Power in the second row and the well-travelled Mick Fitzgerald also coming into the front row.
Formguide: Shannon-LWWLWW Young Munster LLLLLLW
Leading try scorers: Shannon - D Quinlan, M McNamara 2; Young Munster - L Doyle 2
Leading point scorers: Shannon - A Thompson 50; Young Munster - M Lynch 39
Referee: S McDowell
Forecast: Shannon
St Mary's v Clontarf, Templeville Road
St Mary's are expecting a number of their Leinster players to tog out but don't know yet who they'll have. The "real" St Mary's make a marvellous team but Shannon exploited them last week to a devastating degree. Clontarf are confident and sure of themselves in a workman-like way and it has paid off with two wins in the last two matches. Ben Gissing, captain and number 8 has been inspirational. Loose head Warren O'Kelly comes in for Frenchman Thierry Foucher and Dave Moore replaces Andy Wood.
Formguide: St Mary's College WWWDLL Clontarf LWDLWW
Leading try scorers: St Mary's - C McPhillips 2; Clontarf - D Higgins 4
Leading point scorers: St Mary's - B Lynn 37; Clontarf - J Dempsey 55
Referee: C Stanley
Forecast: Clontarf
UCD v Terenure, Belfield
Tip UCD to win and they lose, tip them to lose and they win. Students. They are unchanged but with some doubt hanging over wing forward Anto Carroll who departed last week at half time. Terenure wingers Phillip Costello and Jonathon Treacy are both out of the match, with under-20 Seβn King, back for the first time in six weeks, and Matthew Dowling coming in. In the back row Peter O'Malley replaces Alan Ryan.
Terenure have the experience but have not played well of late. Sorry UCD, it's the kiss of death again. You have the ability to win.
Formguide: UCD WWLDLW Terenure LWWWLL
Top try scorers: UCD - D O'Sullivan, P Hickey-Dwyer, S Moore 2; Terenure - C Egan 5
Top point scorers: UCD - E Hickey 67; Terenure - R Governey 64
Referee: C Beverland
Forecast: The students
