Cork Constitution

Coach Brian Hickey is awaiting a definitive medical report on wing Derek Dillon before finalising his team. Dillon is unlikely to play and this could allow for the inclusion of Adam Sherrard or a backline reshuffle which would see John Kelly move from the centre to the wing, allowing the introduction of a fit-again Cian Mahony. Ronan O'Gara is rested again so Conor Mahony continues at outhalf. Ian Murray has recovered from a thumb injury.

Cork Constitution: B Walsh; AN Other, J Kelly, R O'Donovan, A Horgan; Conor Mahony, B O'Meara; I Murray, F Sheehan, J O'Driscoll; D O'Callaghan, M O'Driscoll; C Taylor, U O'Callaghan (capt), J Murray.

Alan Reddan is injured so fit-again Rod Nowlan resumes on the right wing. Donovan Rossi is sidelined but the restoration of Richie Murphy to the outhalf role allows Dave O'Brien to move to the centre. The pack remains the same, with French hooker Thierry Foucher expected to be available. Ben Gissing is suspended until midnight on Saturday night following an IRFU disciplinary hearing, having been sent off two weeks ago. Dave Moore continues in the second row.

Clontarf: K Nowlan; R Nowlan, D McElligott, D O'Brien, O Winchester; R Murphy, R O'Reilly; T Kearns, T Foucher, P McQuillan; D Sheahan, D Moore; D Quinn, B Baggott (capt), P Lynn.

The Ulster club make two changes for their clash with Garryowen. Scrumhalf Brad Free is back in Australia for Christmas and is replaced by former Ulster number nine Neil Doak, while South African Cois Beukes deputises for rested second row Gary Longwell.

Ballymena: J Park; J Topping, S Stewart, R Botha, S Young; A Derwin, N Doak; N McKernan, P Shields, C Millar; M Blair, C Beukes; A Graham, R Nelson, J Taggart.

Centre Stephen Gormley will undergo a late fitness test. If he fails it Shane Stephens will move from fullback to centre, with Eddie Devitt taking over the number 15 jersey. Kent Ashmore returns to the front row after missing last weekend's defeat by Galwegians.

DLSP: S Stephens; B Hogan, AN Other, D McCabe, M Vioreanu; S Broughton, M Cross; K Ashmore, S O'Donnell, D Masters; R Frost, K Wheelock; A Toher, T Giles (capt), B Wood.

Ryan Constable, Tyrone Howe and Justin Fitzpatrick are all out. Cambridge blues Michael Haslett (openside) and Mark Edwards (scrumhalf) are available, as is a fit again Tony McWhirter. David Humphreys plays but second row Paddy Johns is unlikely to be fit.

The main injury concerns are hooker Frankie Roche and prop Marcus Horan but both are expected to be passed fit. The Shannon management is still awaiting clarification on whether international number eight Anthony Foley is available to them. There will definitely be two changes to the backline, with Maurice Lawlor replacing John Davis and Colm McMahon preferred to Jason Hayes on the wing. Manager Niall O'Shea pointed out that it was purely a matter of squad rotation than a reflection on the performances of the players who drop out.