Whether the turkey and ham will have taken a greater toll on the university sides than their hectic pre-Christmas schedule will be seen this weekend with Queen's, Trinity and UCD hoping that the weather will ease. Uniformly lighter than most of their opponents, the students have not enjoyed the recent spells of intemperate conditions and all will hope for dry four days.
Their inclusion in the inaugural European Universities' Championships, which came on top of league commitments before the New Year break, was a hefty burden, if one that was enthusiastically shouldered, but Queen's, particularly, must raise their game if they are not to be threatened with relegation into Division Four this year.
Queen's remain pointless after three matches and face Collegians, a team who are not only without a point, but also on the bottom of the table on points difference. The Belfast students, beat Collegians five weeks ago in the Ulster league, mainly through their strength in the front eight. After they were forced to travel to the universities' championship under-strength, Queen's subsequently shipped some considerable defeats and are seeking something to raise the spirits.
Hooker and place-kicker Barry Hall will remain out of the side for the rest of the season, having been concussed in their game against Ballymena. Hall was also concussed in Australia during a tour with the Irish Universities and has been advised by doctors to take a break from the game.
Backrow Robert Dunlop, who has been named in the team, must also be considered doubtful. Dunlop pulled a hamstring in the students' AIL game against Suttonians and tried to make a comeback last weekend. His effort lasted five minutes and may well need more time. Prop Arnie Stevenson is also doubtful, but is named at number three.
UCD meet Bohemians and neither team has yet selected. UCD have not met since their trek to Toulouse, but sit in a more healthy third place with three games completed. Their opponents are desperate for points and have yet to win a match.
Trinity have named a side with just one change. Shane McLoughlin comes into the left wing for their away match against Corinthians. A win in Galway would keep the students in touch with the leaders. They, too, have four points from three matches played.
North Dublin club Suttonians face a tough home challenge from a full-strength Portadown side, but do so with the confidence of having beaten Carlow last week (three tries to one).
Phil Hegarty continues to improve after his long lay-off, while Dara Dowling deputises again for the injured Eamon McKeon, who hopes to be back for early February. The backline is strengthened by the return of Brendan O'Farrell and Pat Kilduff, while backrow Steven Gallagher is on the bench after a lengthy layoff. Portadown report no injuries to their regular line up.
