The home side welcomes back captain and number eight Victor Costello and second row and new Lion Malcolm O'Kelly. Shane Jennings is unavailable because of exams and his place at open-side goes to his elder brother, Karl. Garryowen will be without David Wallace, who doesn't want to overdo his comeback following knee ligament damage with too many matches, and loosehead prop Niall Hartigan (exams). Killian Keane is available.
The loser here can virtually write off the play-offs, though both teams are in a decent vein of form. St Mary's have won their last five and can emulate a club-record six in succession. Garryowen have won four of their last five, including Saturday's one-point victory over Galwegians.
David Wallace is a huge loss to the visitors, and this is compounded by Costello and O'Kelly being available to St Mary's. The home side retains the back division that functioned so well against Ballymena. Peter McKenna looks sharp and fit, while John McWeeney is finding his feet after a long injury layoff.
Neither side are destructive scrummagers, St Mary's should have an advantage in the lineout and Garryowen must cope with the physical threat of Trevor Brennan and Costello. Behind the scrum, the visitors will rely on Jeremy Staunton, but St Mary's look to have too much all-round ability and should prove victorious, without managing a bonus point.
Last five matches: St Mary's - W W W W W. Garryowen - W L W W W.
Leading try scorers: St Mary's - Peter McKenna, Denis Hickie 4 each. Garryowen - Steve Mackay, Paul Neville 3 each.
Leading points scorers: St Mary's - Mark McHugh 77. Garryowen - Jeremy Staunton 136.
Referee: A Lewis (IRFU).
Forecast: St Mary's to win.
The Irish women's squad travel to France on Sunday for the European Championships. The Irish play the hosts in the opening match on Monday, and the tournament runs until the following Saturday.
Ireland (squad): J Lonergan (Shannon), M Coulter (Blackrock), E Coen (Highfield), E Collins (Lichfield), M O'Loughlin (Corinthians), B Montgomery (Nottingham), F Neary (Waterloo), L Wallace (Midleton), J Morton (Waterloo), J O'Leary (Corinthians), SJ Belton (Shannon), P Kelly (Shannon), F Steed (Shannon, capt), M Dolo (Old Belvedere), AM McAllister (Blackrock), R Foley (Shannon), C Murphy (Corinthians), R Reid (Cooke), E Wessell (Richmond), R Howell (Corinthians), L Cantwell (UL Bohemian), R Boyd (Cooke), J Sparkes (Cooke), K McCarthy (Highfield), N O'Donnell (UL Bohemian), S Fleming (Cooke). Coach: D O'Leary (UL Bohemian). Assistant coach: B Murphy (Corinthians). Technical support: N Doak. Physio: A Woods.
