All Ireland League: Team news

Ballymena

Tighthead prop Clarke Millar and international second row Gary Longwell return to the team for Saturday's game against Old Crescent at Eaton Park. Millar's suspension following his sending-off ends on Friday. Longwell will partner Mark Blair in the second row. Coach Andrew Bester has to decide between Derek Topping and Jason Taggart for the openside role.

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

St Mary's

St Mary's expect to be without international wing Denis Hickie who will not have the plaster on his broken hand removed tomorrow. The good news for Ireland coach Warren Gatland though is that Hickie should be available for the French game on Saturday week. Brendan Bartley is named on the right wing.

There is no Malcolm O'Kelly in the pack - Gareth Logan partners Dave Griffin in the second row - but captain Victor Costello has recovered from illness and is expected to take his place at number eight. Dave Clare return to the front row with Emmet Byrne moving to tighthead.

ST MARY'S: P McKenna; B Bartney, G Gannon, M McHugh, J McWeeney; E Hekenui, E McCormack; D Clare, P Smyth, E Byrne; G Logan, D Griffin; T Brennan, V Costello (capt), S Jennings.

Galwegians

Prop Andy Kershaw should be available again after recovering from a shoulder injury while coach John Kingston will have to check on the fitness of Ireland under-21 outhalf Gavin Duffy. Having picked up an injury while playing for Galwegians last weekend, Duffy suffered another knock in the Irish under-21's victory over Italy (61-10) in Ostia last Friday. The team is not likely to be finalised until Friday.

Young Munster

Peter CLOHESSY is definitely out of the game against Dungannon at Tom Clifford Park. Mike Mullins could still play despite lining out for Ireland in the Six Nations match against Italy. Given the fact that he hasn't been overworked in the last six weeks since breaking a jaw he may be released to play by national coach Warren Gatland. Playercoach Matt te Pau is suffering from flu while centre Leo Doyle is to have an exploratory knee operation.

Dungannon

They will be without international wing Tyrone Howe but expect to have David Humphreys, Jonathan Bell, Justin Fitzpatrick and Tony McWhirter on duty.

Clontarf

Darragh McElligott and Declan Quinn are expected to miss the game against Lansdowne because of viral infections while Philip Quinn is out with a broken thumb. Brian Devitt is doubtful with a thigh strain while club officials are hoping that the waterlogged Castle Avenue surface will not receive too much more rainfall.

Lansdowne

Shane HORGAN is resting, Gus Hamilton is still out of commission through injury. Leinster captain Liam Toland is doubtful with a neck injury but Gordon D'Arcy and Reggie Corrigan are expected to play.

Terenure

Irish full back Girvan Dempsey is not available while Eric Miller is still out with a broken thumb. Richie Governey continues at full back while Alan Ryan is named on the blindside flank with Australian Luke Hammond at number eight.

TERENURE: R Governey; D Coleman, M O'Kelly, M Smyth, J Coffey; S Cullen, D Hegarty; S Barretto, J Blaney, J Campbell; R Sheriff, D Quinn; A Ryan, L Hammond, P O'Malley.

Blackrock

Former Ireland A centre Brian Carey makes a sensational return to rugby, having had to retire from the game last year prematurely with recurring knee problems. Carey, who is coaching the under-20s at the club this season, played a seconds match a couple of weeks ago and then a senior friendly against Lansdowne last week. Having experienced no problems with the knees, he will try to continue playing.

Brian O'Driscoll is not available but Nathan Turner returns to the team following injury. Gary Browne is another to recover from a leg injury and is named on the left wing. David Popplewell, is preferred to James Ferris at scrumhalf.

BLACKROCK: N Turner; P Noble, B Carey, M Jackson, G Browne; A McGowan, D Popplewell; I McLaughlin, S Byrne, G Halpin; R Casey, L Cullen (capt); T Hogan, D McGettigan, R Rogers.

Shannon

Peter Stringer, John Hayes, Mick Galwey, Alan Quinlan and Anthony Foley are unavailable while there are fitness doubts surrounding Jason Hayes, John Lacey and Niall McNamara.

Cork Constitution

Props Ian Murray and John O'Driscoll are nursing knocks. Ronan O'Gara is definitely out and the team is not expected to be announced until tomorrow.