All-Ireland League Division Two: Team by team guide

Blackrock College

Coach: Kevin West.

Captain: Leo Cullen.

In: J Woods (Lansdowne), F O'Beirne (Old Belvedere), B O'Driscoll (UCD), J Mion (Old Belvedere), E Farrell (West Hartlepool), B Lally (NZ), G Halpin (Harlequins), A McSweeney (UCC), J Ferris (Leicester), J Griffiths (NZ).

Out: None.

Prospects: Relegation wouldn't have been too palatable down Stradbrook way last season so anything other than a prompt return to the elite is unthinkable. Several outstanding young players, including Brian O'Driscoll, Robert Casey, Leo Cullen, Barry Gibney and David Quinlan. Experience too through Gary Halpin, Shane Byrne and Hubie Kos and an ability to play entertaining rugby. Potential division winners.

Old Crescent

Coach: Andre Humaine.

Captain: Diarmuid O'Malley.

In: A Quinn (Bohemian), T Clifford (Garryowen), J Cusack (Australia), G Gelderbloom (SA), P Glamuzina (NZ), M Byrd (London Irish), A Herlihy (Young Munster).

Out: J Noonan, S McCarthy, P McDonagh, B O'Neill, P Neville.

Prospects: Impressive form during the Munster Senior League suggests that new coach, South African Andre Humaine, has made an immediate impact. Have recruited three Southern Hemisphere players which should offset the departure of Paul Neville and Barry O'Neill, among others. Genuine contenders for the title, certain of promotion.

Wanderers

Coach: Glyn Davies.

Captain: Martin Mahon.

In: K Nowlan (St Mary's College), R Nowlan (St Mary's), E McCormack (St Mary's), M O'Driscoll (Old Wesley), G Heaslip (Galwegians), R Southam (Buccaneers), R Taylor (Australia).

Out: G Halpin.

Prospects: Entered the marketplace in no uncertain fashion and obviously loitering outside the gates of Templeville Road was beneficial. Kevin Nowlan, scrum-half Eoin McCormack and second row Graham Heaslip are notable recruits. Should boast a decent, all-round team.

UCD

Coach: John McClean/Lee Smith.

Captain: Shane Moore.

In: C MacLean (NZ), J Campbell (NZ).

Out: R Staunton, G Lloyd, R Kinlin, B O'Driscoll, C Scally, A Dunne, J Perry.

Prospects: Last season's Division Three champions lost several quality players, including internationals O'Driscoll (Blackrock) and Ciaran Scally (retirement). The departure of out-half Andy Dunne to Old Belvedere was a further blow. Play a traditionally expansive game, an energetic style facilitated by a top quality coach in Lee Smith. May be forced to consolidate rather than challenge for promotion.

Old Belvedere

Coach: Stephen Dods.

Captain: Hugh McDonnell.

In: A Dunne (UCD), J Philpott (Clontarf), J Aylward (Greystones), A Phelan (Australia).

Out: F O'Beirne, J Mion, M Carroll, B Murphy, C Johnson.

Prospects: Managed some good results during the Leinster championship and boast the best young half-backs in the division in Simon Keogh and Andy Dunne. Have a lively pack with some excellent young flankers. Another team of potential, should manage to get into promotional shake-up.

Bective Rangers

Coach: Ed Martin.

Captain: Des Jackson.

In: D Lyons (St Mary's), E Gibney (St Mary's), R Milliken (DU), B Crowley (Highfield), D Shaw (Greystones), P Kelly (Garryowen), R Byrne (Carlow), B Free (Saracens), C Pearce (Australia), G Molloy (Lansdowne).

Out: M Edwards.

Prospects: The presence of Australian-born, Ireland A scrum-half Brad Free is a considerable coup, while St Mary's College duo David Lyons and Eugene Gibney will provide a greater cutting edge behind the scrum. Another team who will regard themselves as promotion candidates.

Greystones

Coach: Ciaran Fitzgerald.

Captain: Wayne Roberston.

In: J O'Beirne (Lansdowne), D Whiston (Greystones), D Masters (Bridgewater), M Loxton (NZ), D Nolan (Blackrock).

Out: D Shaw, J Aylward, E Costigan, R Doyle.

Prospects: Their most notable acquisition is Leinster's South Africa-born utility back Daniel Whiston, while John O'Beirne's return from Lansdowne would also be considered a sizeable fillip. Ciaran Fitzgerald once again provides the direction. A youngish team, they should be in the top half of the table, but possibly not in the positions that matter.

Galwegians

Coach: John Kingston.

Captain: Mervyn Murphy.

In: T Allnutt (Corinthians), J Fahey (Corinthians), I Place (Corinthians), D Mescal (UCG), P Boland (Young Munster), M McConnell (NZ), N Taylor (Garryowen), A Kershaw (Coventry), M Mostyn (BeglesBordeaux).

Out: A Reddan, C McGuckian, I Hutchinson, G Heaslip, C Kilroy, J Keehan.

Prospects: A new coach in former Richmond boss John Kingston and significant recruitment in New Zealand second row Mark McConnell, Irish wing Matt Mostyn and young scrum-half David Mescal. Given the players already in situ, Galwegians would be horrified if they fail to attain promotion. Potential winners.

UCC

Coach: Brian Hyland.

Captain: Colin Healy.

In: None.

Out: A McSweeney, A Hickey, A Morrissey, M O'Driscoll, P Stringer, J Purcell.

Prospects: Have lost several excellent players, notably scrum-half Peter Stringer to Shannon, Mick O'Driscoll to Cork Constitution and number eight Alan Hickey to Dolphin. Difficult to see them managing anything more profitable than staying up.

Dolphin

Coach: Terry Kingston.

Captain: Barry Sheehan.

In: A Hickey (UCC), J Purcell (UCC), D Keeshan (Old Wesley), L Roche (Midleton), I Stewart (NZ).

Out: D Griffen, D McCarthy.

Prospects: Munster Senior League results suggest that this could be a trying season for former international hooker and captain Terry Kingston, now ensconced as coach. Remarkably, they have never lost to Blackrock in the AIL and visit there in the second game. Will need to maintain that record and surprise several other teams to do anything other than struggle.

Sunday's Well

Coach: Declan Coppinger.

Captain: Rory Cogan.

In: K O'Connell (Perigueux), S Keenan (Canada), S Taylor (NZ).

Out: T Mulcahy, I Calder, S Kidd.

Prospects: The prodigal son in the form of former international flanker Ken O'Connell returns to the Lee and he will be needed as they try to muster a promotional challenge. Should be the strongest of the Cork clubs in this division, difficult to beat at home and on the outskirts of the promotion race.

Belfast Harlequins

Coach: Willie Gribben.

Captain: Chris Galwey.

In: A Park (Ballymena), S Coulter (Ballymena), A Matchett (Ballymena), A Robinson (Ballymena), C Keown (Portadown), R Dunlop (QUB), R Stevens (Dungannon), N Malone Worcester), S Bromley (Harlequins), S Best (Newcastle), M Roberts (NZ), D Jack (Omagh).

Out: None.

Prospects: The newly amalgamated club (CIYMS/Collegians) have managed to attract a host of talented players. The Ulster wingmen of last season, Andy Park and Sheldon Coulter, have joined from Ballymena as has provincial scrumhalf Andy Matchett. Spencer Bromley, Simon Best and Niall Malone are currently in the Ulster squad. May go straight to Division One in their first season.

City of Derry

Coach: Gerald McCarter.

Captain: Robbie Millar.

In: K Gallick (Ballymena), A Bond (Australia).

Out: C Millar.

Prospects: Keith Gallick returns to his home club after spending time with Ballymena. Notoriously difficult to beat at Judge's Road, they should be capable of muscling into the title race. Not quite as good as three of the other teams, they are nevertheless capable of sneaking a promotion place. Could make the playoff.

Malone

Coach: Geoff Webster.

Captain: Richard Mackey.

In: G Webster (Australia).

Out: M Graham, S Kirkpatrick.

Prospects: Malone have been notoriously poor travellers. Former All Black Paul Henderson did a good job last season but it is now up to Geoff Webster to develop the team further. Another season in the division beckons.

Portadown

Coach: Ronnie Tucker.

Captain: Graeme McCluskey.

In: D Rumney (Richmond), B Matthew (Richmond), S O'Callaghan (Canada), N D'Acre (Hong Kong), A Galliers (SA).

Out: J Park, R Kelly, B Styles, S Hooks, C Keown.

Prospects: The problem for Portadown will be securing possession. They have a talented and fleet-footed backline, but the pack is littered with young faces outside of the back row. If they can secure a platform in matches they will trouble the best, but their problem may be competing up front against some of the bigger packs.