St Mary's College

Brent Pope has no injury concerns but will definitely be without internationals Denis Hickie and Malcolm O'Kelly. However, the Mary's coach is looking forward to welcoming back scrumhalf Philip Lynch and wing Alan Conboy, both of whom have resumed training. Conboy harbours a better chance of a starting place.

Lansdowne

They are expected to announce their team today and are reasonably optimistic that Shane Horgan and Gordon D'Arcy will be available. Leinster prop Reggie Corrigan is expected to recover from the tendonitis problem that has been bothering him recently but the prognosis for flanker Liam Toland is not as good with the Leinster captain very doubtful for the short trip to St Mary's.

Belfast Harlequins

The Belfast side faces a titanic clash with DLSP in Dublin at the weekend with the winners significantly improving their relegation fears. Long term injury victims Barry Dick (fractured ankle) and Neil Beggs (broken ankle) should be back in first team contention within a month. Paul Hancock has recovered from injury and the full back is likely to command a starting place having been on the bench against Garryowen.

DLSP

Coach Phil Werahiko has several injury concerns foremost of which are second-row Rowan Frost (hamstring), Ken Wheelock (flu) and Tony Giles (achilles tendon); the latter did not play against Blackrock College. Prop Kent Ashmore is eligible despite his citing following the Blackrock game.

Dungannon

There are no injury concerns for coach Willie Anderson aside from the fact that international wing Tyrone Howe is not available for their difficult trip to face Shannon at Thomond Park.

Shannon

The main concern for Shannon are the injuries to hooker Frankie Roche (neck), full back John Lacey (thigh) and right wing John O'Neill (leg). All three are expected to be fit. Internationals Peter Stringer, John Hayes, Mick Galwey, Alan Quinlan and Anthony Foley won't be playing.

Garryowen

Coach Andy Earl is anxiously awaiting medical opinion on injuries to Killian Keane (ankle) and Jeremy Staunton (thigh); Keane is the more doubtful of the two. Better news is that Shane Leahy will return following a break from the game and Fergal Costello and Colin Varley are both available after injury. David Wallace will not play.

Blackrock College

Gary Halpin is out of the clash with Garryowen. The stitches he received to his damaged ear are not due to be removed until Sunday. Niall Treston is the likely deputy. Centre Brian Carey took a knock in a friendly at the weekend and is doubtful but David Quinlan is available for the first time this season despite his studies at Cambridge University. Brian O'Driscoll is not available.

Cork Constitution

The league leaders will be without Ronan O'Gara and are concerned about knee ligament damage that John Kelly sustained while on Ireland A duty. Leinster scrumhalf Brian O'Meara missed the last game, the victory over Shannon, but is fit to resume.

Old Crescent

The Limerick club have no injury worries following Sunday's defeat by Young Munster and are likely to be unchanged for Saturday's clash with Buccaneers.

Galwegians

Promising young flanker Johnny O'Connor is out for eight weeks with a broken arm and he is the biggest loss for coach John Kingston.

Terenure College

The club await a medical report on international Eric Miller. His broken thumb has healed and he is hoping to get the all-clear. He is confident that he will be available for Terenure's trip to Eaton Park. Full back Richie Governey is also causing some concern with a leg problem but is expected to play.

Ballymena

Shane Stewart missed the surprise defeat by Old Crescent but returns for the Terenure game in the centre. Scott Young replaces Jeff Park on the left wing. AJ Derwin returns to his more natural position of outhalf, having played centre the last day. Neil Doak who filled the outhalf role will take over at scrumhalf from Brad Free. Jason Taggart is expected to be fit and is named at openside flanker.

BALLYMENA: S McDowell; J Topping, S Stewart, R Botha, S Young; AJ Derwin, N Doak; N McKernan, P Shields, C Millar; G Longwell, M Blair; A Graham, R Nelson, J Taggart.