Campion back for key clash

Fergal Campion returns to the St Mary's College team for the first time in 13 months for today's crucial AIB League Division One clash with champions Shannon. Ironically, the last occasion on which the former Ireland under-21 out-half played for the senior side was the corresponding fixture last season - a match St Mary's won at Templeville Road.

Campion will remember the occasion with mixed feelings, the euphoria of winning muted considerably by torn cruciate ligaments in his knee.

St Mary's coach Steve Hennessy decided to bring Campion in for today's game following several impressive performances at junior level: his ability to thrive on the big occasion, a central factor in his elevation.

Richard Ormond drops to the bench, a fate shared by Ronan Lynch, who makes way for a fitagain Emmet Byrne at loosehead prop. The former Wanderers prop came on as a replacement for Dave Coen at tighthead last week and then played a seconds match to confirm his rehabilitation.

Coen will be out for the rest of the season after sustaining medial and cruciate knee ligament damage that will require an operation. Veteran, Derek Dowling joins Byrne and Barry Browne in the front row.

Former Oxford blue Mark Reilly is restored to the backrow: his greater physical presence and lineout ability the determining factor in edging out promising youngster Karl Jennings.

Despite the continued absence of Conor McGuinness and Trevor Brennan, Mary's will rejoice in the return of Irish wing John McWeeney, who has recovered from a hamstring injury that kept him out for the past six weeks. Kelvin McNamee steps down. Denis Hickie did not train all week because he was preparing for his finals, but will play.

Shannon have made one change and a positional switch for the match. Marcus Horan comes into the front row, with John Hayes moving to partner Michael Galwey in the engine room: Kevin Keane is the player to lose out. Injury concerns regarding the fitness of Eddie Halvey, Alan Quinlan and Jim Galvin have subsided after all three came through fitness tests.

All ultimately depends on the results of a pitch inspection at Thomond Park, which will take place at 9.0 this morning, although it is expected that the game will go ahead. Young Munster will not make a decision regarding the out-half role for the game against Cork Constitution until this morning. Aidan O'Halloran is suffering from a hand injury and former Old Crescent player Stephen Tuohy is on standby.

Niall Hartigan is preferred to Des Clohessy at prop, while Denis O'Meara and Mick O'Halloran will form the second-row partnership. Con have delayed naming their team until a couple of hours before kick off.

League leaders Ballymena have confirmed that Stanley McDowell will be available to take his place at centre, despite retiring injured last week. He will be joined there by Michael Boyd: Michael Rainey is unavailable.

The Division Two clash between Buccaneers and Instonians has been postponed because of a tragic family bereavement suffered by Connacht player Michael Devine.

Meanwhile, the Irish management team and their advisors enjoy a diverse schedule of viewing in Ireland and England over the weekend. Coach Brian Ashton takes in London Irish's game against Richmond, and aside from the obvious Exiles candidates, who will come under scrutiny for international representation at senior and A level against Scotland next month, Ashton will monitor the progress of Richmond's flying wing Dominic Chapman.

James Topping, Andy Matchett, Jan Cunningham, Eddie Halvey, Alan Quinlan, Mick Galwey, Anthony Foley, Victor Costello, Gareth Gannon, John McWeeney, Denis Hickie, Kevin Nowlan, David Wallace, Ronan O'Gara, Brian O'Meara, Peter Clohessy, Guy Easterby and Darragh O'Mahony are some of the players who will dominate selection conundrums.

Tomorrow, Ashton will attend Bristol's game against Gloucester in which New Zealand centre Adam Larkin is expected to play, while Whelan will take in the SaracensSale clash.