DIVISION ONE

Today

Ballymena v Clontarf, Eaton Park

In response to the midweek mauling by Garryowen and mindful of this being a third game in three dates, Alex Wyllie will ring the changes. Kevin Nowlan and Donovan Rossi return at full back and centre in a more experienced line-up, though impending fatherhood rules Richie Murphy out of this trip with Dave O'Brien moving to outhalf.

There'll be changes up front too, with Dave Moore likely to be recalled. By contrast, Ballymena will be largely the same, pending a check on prop Clark Millar and a possible recall for Stanley McDowell. Ballymena are potent out wide, and while no team is more porous than Clontarf (who've conceded 35 tries), only Shannon have scored more tries than Ballymena (24 to date). Could be a long afternoon for Clontarf, and a long journey home.

Last three seasons ('99-00 to '97-98): Ballymena 30 Clontarf 13; Clontarf 17 Ballymena 40; Ballymena 46 Clontarf 18.

Five-game formguide (most recent on right): Ballymena - D L W L W. Clontarf - W L L W L.

Leading try scorers: Ballymena - Scott Young, Russell Nelson, Shane Stewart four each. Clontarf - Bobby Baggott 4.

Leading points scorers: Ballymena - Neil Doak 68. Clontarf - 94.

Referee: Donal Courtney (IRFU).

Betting (all odds courtesy of Paddy Powers): 1/9 Ballymena, 20/1 Draw, 5/1 Clontarf. Handicap odds (Clontarf +14pts) 10/11 Ballymena 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Clontarf.

Forecast: Ballymena to win.

DLSP v Young Munster, Kilternan

An unchanged Young Munster (stiffened by Mark Prendergast's return to the bench) have been playing at an altogether more consistent and higher level than DLSP of late, though, that said, DLSP's luck has been out given only St Mary's have scored as many tries away from home (11), yet Phil Werahiko's men haven't obtained even a bonus point in five trips.

Back at Kilternan they've won their last two, suggesting that even without leading try scorer Mihai Vioreanu (on Romanian duty - so Conor Cadigan replaces him) they could give Munsters' a tough enough work-out.

Last three seasons: Young Munster 18 DLSP 5, didn't meet, didn't meet.

Five-game formguide: Young Munster W W L L W. DLSP - W L W L L.

Leading try scorers: Young Munster - Mike Mullins 3. DLSP - Mihai Vioreanu 4. Leading points scorers: Young Munster - Mike Lynch 56. DLSP - Damien McCabe 39.

Referee: Gareth Doyle (IRFU).

Betting: 9/4 DLSP, 18/1 Draw, 1/3 Young Munster. Handicap odds (DLSP +8pts) 10/11 DLSP, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Young Munster.

Forecast: Young Munster to win.

St Mary's College v Shannon, Templeville Road

The full impact of injuries and provincial commitments are evidenced here. With Gareth Gannon and Dave Griffin restored to midfield and the second row, the revitalised champions are at full strength, save for long-term absentees Emmet Byrne and Peter Coyle in the front row whereas the one-time kingpins will be without John Hayes, Anthony Foley, Alan Quinlan, Peter Stringer and, perhaps most crucially of all, Gary McNamara while Colm McMahon (calf) is very doubtful and Brian Buckley a minor doubt.

At least the return of Frank Roche for midweek debutants Sean McNamara and Paudie McMahon should revitalise their line-out, but again they could be overpowered a little up front. A fixture that has all but twice gone to the home side, it's hard not to see that trend being continued here.

Last three seasons: Shannon 8 St Mary's 39; St Mary's 17 Shannon 12; Shannon 32 St Mary's 11 (semi-final Shannon 28 St Mary's 21).

Five-game formguide: St Mary's - W L D W W. Shannon - L D W L L.

Leading try scorers: St Mary's - Peter McKenna 3. Shannon - John Lacey 7, Mossie Lawlor 5.

Leading points scorers: St Mary's - Mark McHugh 54. Shannon - Andrew Thompson 75.

Referee: Bertie Smith (IRFU).

Betting: 1/2 St Mary's, 16/1 Draw, 11/8 Shannon. Handicap odds (Shannon +5pts) 10/11 St Mary's, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Shannon.

Forecast: St Mary's to win.

Old Crescent v Lansdowne, Rosbrien

Shane Horgan is on the bench for Lansdowne and his return to the pitch probably can't come quick enough for a try-shy Lansdowne heretofore constrained by their 10-man game.

Crescent's win away to Ballymena looks quirky when set against six defeats in the last seven. Billy Treacy reverts to outhalf and Brian Begley is recalled to full back, while Eoin Reddan starts at scrum-half and lock Paul Ryan returns at the expense of Diarmuid O'Malley.

Whatever about their respective attacks, Lansdowne's defence makes them favourites.

Last three seasons: Didn't meet, didn't meet, Lansdowne 51 Old Crescent 6. Five-game formguide: Old Crescent - W L L L L. Lansdowne - L L D W L.

Leading try scorers: Old Crescent - Wayne Munn 3. Lansdowne - Lorcan O'Brien, Aidan McCullen 2 each.

Leading points scorers: Old crescent - Billy Treacy 64. Lansdowne - david Quigley 58. Referee: Paul Eakin (IRFU).

Betting: 6/4 Old Crescent, 16/1 Draw, 1/2 Lansdowne. Handicap odds (Old Crescent +4pts) 10/11 Old Crescent, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Lansdowne.

Forecast: Lansdowne to win.

Blackrock College v Dungannon, Stradbrook

He's back. With David Quinlan returning to Cambridge due to studies, Brian O'Driscoll's first start of the season can only be a boost for a developing young Rock side who, as Kevin West acknowledged, had previously played better in defeat than they did on Wednesday. Leo Cullen will be keen to sign off with another flourish before his "op", though they await a late fitness check on guiding light Shane Byrne.

It's a third game in eight days against an unchanged Dungannon side buoyed by successive home wins. They're also largely professional opponents who could therefore finish the stronger to record a first away win this millennium.

Last three seasons: Didn't meet, didn't meet, Blackrock 23 Dungannon 9.

Five-game formguide: Blackrock - W D W L W. Dungannon - W L D W W.

Leading try scorers: Blackrock - Gary Browne, Nathan Turner, Alan McGowan 2 each. Dungannon - Jan Cunningham 4.

Leading points scorers: Blackrock - Alan McGowan 114. Dungannon - David Humphreys 106.

Referee: Leo Mayne (IRFU).

Betting: 8/15 Blackrock, 16/1 Draw, 11/8 Dungannon. Handicap odds (= Dungannon + 4pts) 10/11 Blackrock, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Dungannon.

Forecast: Dungannon to win.

Galwegians v Cork Constitution, Crowley Park

The west is awake and all that, with Galwegians hosting an AIB league summit meeting on assuredly the biggest day in their history.

For John Kingston and his industrious team it's just another big game, but, whereas they are buoyed by a big win, are at home and likely to be unchanged for the third game running, Con bring 25 and expect to be without Ronan O'Gara, Ian Murray and Ultan O'Callaghan.

With the latter away with the under19s in Chile, Con will probably opt for the greater physical presence of Ken Murphy and move Donnacha O'Callaghan to the back row, while Anthony Horgan's return is a boost and it should be noted than Con have won all five games in which Conor Mahony has filled in at outhalf.

On recent evidence though, Galwegians have looked more consistently durable and less inclined to switch off over 80 minutes.

Last three seasons: Didn't meet, Cork Con 41 Galwegians 8, didn't meet.

Five-game formguide: Galwegians - W W W L W. Cork Con - W W W L L.

Leading try scorers: Galwegians - Gavin Duffy 5, Tim Allnutt, Willie Ruane 4 each. Cork Con - Craig Taylor 5.

Leading points scorers: Galwegians - Eric Elwood 99. Cork Con - Brian O'Meara 80.

Referee: Alain Rolland (IRFU).

Betting: 10/11 Galwegians, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Galwegians. Forecast: Galwegians to win.

Belfast Harlequins v Terenure Ormeau Road

Although it's probably as much a reflection on the lack of tactical leadership elsewhere in the team, it's still significant to note that Terenure's four wins have coincided with the four games in which Kevin Putt has played at least half-an-hour.

Nonetheless, Putt retains faith in Derek Hegarty and all bar one of the starting XV which fell 30-0 behind to Garryowen (Shane Cullen is restored on the wing, even though Richie Governey's boot was on the money last week). Along with Dungannon and St Mary's, they continue to look like the prime movers from mid-table.

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

Five-game formguide: B/Harlequins - L L L L L. Terenure - L W L W W.

Leading try scorers: B/Harlequins - Robin Morrow, Gerard O'Loan 3 each. Terenure - David Coleman 5.

Leading points scorers: B/Harlequins - Paul Hancock 34. Terenure - Shane Cullen 66.

Referee: David Keane (IRFU).

Betting: 9/4 B/Harlequins, 18/1 Draw, 1/3 Terenure. Handicap odds (B/Harlequins +9pts) 10/11 B/Harlequins, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 B/Harlequins.

Forecast: Terenure to win.