Division One
Cork Constitution v Ballymena, Temple Hill.
A crucial match for Cork Constitution, an important one for Ballymena. Constitution's hopes of ensuring a place in the play-offs would receive a considerable fillip with victory. Although they still have a home clash with Shannon to come, beating Ballymena would underline their challenge for honours and continue their impressive winning sequence.
The good news for Constitution is that prop Philip Soden and second row Ken Murphy have both shaken off injury problems. There remains doubt about Munster wing Anthony Horgan because of a hamstring injury and he will have a fitness test this morning. James Kiernan stands by.
Ballymena coach Andre Bester has once again indulged in a little smoke and mirror charade with regard to the composition of his team. There has been no official announcement, but rumours persist that Stanley McDowell, Andy Matchett and Tony McWhirter are all carrying injuries and are doubtful participants.
What can be gleaned is that after his sojourn in Hong Kong James Topping will play in the centre and that Mark Blair is expected to return to the second row. Ballymena need another victory to ensure their survival in Division One and with three matches - including this one - left they should accomplish this, albeit not in this match.
Forecast: Cork Constitution.
DIVISION TWO.
City of Derry v Dolphin, Branch Road.
The Cork side has shown an improvement in their general performances over the latter part of the season and should at least be competitive on their journey north. Derry have traditionally been strong at home, although less so this season. They are still good enough to earn both points from this match.
Forecast: City of Derry.
Old Belvedere v UCC, Anglesea Road.
The demands on the students this season in playing terms, manifested in their magnificent European Students Cup triumph, has left them with considerable wear and tear in personnel. With little left to play for, they appear vulnerable. Belvedere have been competent and that should be enough today.
Forecast: Old Belvedere.
Old Crescent v Greystones, Rosbrien.
Jed O'Dwyer's impact on his return to coaching at Old Crescent has been obvious and resurrected the Limerick club's hopes of achieving promotion. To do that they must continue their run of good results with another victory today, setting up a huge clash against main promotion rivals DLSP - Dungannon appear uncatchable - next week. The young Greystones team has produced a mixed bag of performances and should not have the strength up front to cause an upset.
Forecast: Old Crescent.
Wanderers v Portadown, Lansdowne Road.
The Ulster team has proved invincible at home this season but given this match is at Lansdowne Road, Wanderers should prevail. Portadown boast a miserable record away from home, while the home side, despite a heavy defeat at this venue by Old Crescent recently, should manage to assert greater authority.
Forecast: Wanderers.
Skerries v Ballynahinch, Holmpatrick.
It has been a miserable season for both clubs. Ballynahinch are destined for a quick return to Division Three, while Skerries could join them. Once a fortress, Holmpatrick is now more welcoming to visiting teams than most venues. The presence of a fit again Dermot O'Sullivan might just help Skerries buck the trend.
Forecast: Skerries.
Dungannon v Bective Rangers, Stevenson Park.
A very tough assignment for Bective whose penchant for closely contested encounters might be broken here. At the start of the season Dungannon coach Willie Anderson wasn't too keen to have the mantle of favouritism thrust upon his charges, but they seemed to have coped. Another Dungannon victory, another step closer to Division One.
Forecast: Dungannon.
Schools International.
Blackrock College full back Paul Drew retains the No.15 jersey for Ireland's opening Schools International of the season against England at Musgrave Park (5.0). Drew played there against Australia last December and fills the vacancy left by the selectors when they named the team last week.
There are four changes from Ireland's 22-12 defeat by Australia with Blackrock's promising centre Gary Brown, Roscrea's Gavin Duffy, Matt McCullough of Ballymena Academy and Terenure's Tom Carter being introduced. Duffy came on in the centre against the Aussies but the strong running Roscrea player is named at out-half. Ireland boasts considerable talent behind the scrum and, providing the forwards can grab even a modicum of possession, should be able to generate considerable pressure on the English. The visitors also lost to Australia, but are expected to field a physically bigger and stronger side.
Ireland: P Drew (Blackrock), J Norton (St Mary's), G Brown (Blackrock), C O'Sullivan (PBC Cork), F Baynes (St Michael's), G Duffy (Roscrea), P McCarthy (CBC Cork), B Young (Ballymena Acad.), H Bourke (Clongowes), J Montgomery (Blackrock), A Maher (St Joseph's), M McCullough (Ballymena Acad.), D Leamy (Rockwell), S Jennings (St Mary's), T Carter (Terenure).
