Ulster's European Cup triumph has had a disastrous side-effect for Ballymena. Five players are battling injury or illness and two of them will be long term absentees. Jan Cunningham and Derek Topping are definitely out while Gary Longwell, Mark Blair and Tony McWhirter are doubtful to varying degrees for Saturday's AIB League clash with Buccaneers at Eaton Park.

Cunningham, who fractured his cheekbone while playing in the final against Colomiers, will be out for eight weeks and is not expected to be available until at least mid-April. Flanker Topping may also be consigned to the sidelines for a long spell with suspected cartilage damage.

The casualty list was further lengthened when second row Longwell withdrew from the A international against France last weekend following damage he received to his A/C joint in the Colomiers match. Blair started the A match but sustained knee damage: both players are rated extremely doubtful for Saturday.

McWhirter has a heavy dose of flu but he is expected to have recovered in time. The one consolation for Ballymena coach Andre Bester is that international wing James Topping will return to rugby for the first time since dislocating his shoulder on Ireland's summer tour to South Africa.

Bester admitted: "We have been pretty unfortunate with injuries but there is no point in complaining about it. It's a fact of life and not unexpected. The decision to play against Young Munster doesn't look as bad now given that we provided several young players with the experience of All-Ireland League rugby.

"We won't be using anything as an excuse. I believe that I have the squad to cope with the absentees. We won't select until Friday at the earliest but there will be no question of playing anyone who is not 100 per cent fit."

Opponents Buccaneers have no such problems, naming an unchanged side from their victory over Garryowen. Prop Jimmy Screene is nursing a knock to the ribs but is expected to play. Colm Rigney continues in the second row in the absence of brother, Donal, who is still suspended.

Division One leaders Garryowen have delayed selection for their top of the table clash with Lansdowne at Dooradoyle. They await medical reports on Ben Cronin (shoulder) and New Zealand centre Rob Durno (knee). Lansdowne make one change to the team that beat Blackrock College, Ollie Ennis replaces the injured Paul Grimes at hooker.

St Mary's College confront Shannon at Templeville Road in a hugely important tie for both clubs. Three defeats each underlines the seriousness of Saturday's game.

St Mary's will definitely be without international number eight Victor Costello who suffered rib damage against France last weekend. Denis Hickie's return to first team rugby has been once again postponed despite his playing for the seconds last weekend. His back injury is not fully healed.

Shannon could be without their first choice centre combination for a second successive match. Paul McMahon underwent keyhole surgery on a damaged knee while Rhys Ellison's shoulder/ neck injury is still causing him concern.

Blackrock College half-backs Andrew Boyd and Alan McGowan are injured and will miss the visit of Young Munster. The Limerick club has delayed selection as scrum-half Derek Tobin (head), winger Richard Larkin (ankle) and Peter Clohessy (shoulder) are receiving treatment daily. Terenure welcome back Eric Miller for their game against Cork Constitution. He missed the 11-11 draw with Young Munster.

Clontarf make a couple of changes in the three-quarter line for the trip to Galwegians. Nicky Barry is named on the right wing for Dara McElligott who pulled a hamstring against St Mary's and could be sidelined for several weeks. Turlough Meagher replaces Matt Smith in the centre, the latter being on holidays in New Zealand.

Galwegians, under new coach George Hook for the first time this weekend, have not yet finalised their team due to injury concerns regarding number eight Barry Gavin, second row Jimmy Duffy and hooker Kevin Tierney.