Leaders get ready for battle

The top game of the weekend in Division Three is NIFC's home match against Bohemians although, given the weather, pitch inspectors may well be busier than most as all provinces report very bad ground conditions.

Johnny Watterson Each side has six points, North are on top of the table with a greater points difference, making the Saturday clash a crucial one.

Bohemians have had three players hit by flu symptoms but are hopeful that over the next few days they will become fit to play. Otherwise the team is injury free. In last year's meeting Bohemians narrowly won the match. The sides have not played this term.

While Bohemians have not yet named a team, NIFC have done so, but with two positions not fully decided. Chris Blakely will probably play at full back, while Greg Bell will probably fill the second-row berth. If Bell is out, then Andy Morrison could come in.

Monkstown, who are third in the table, are waiting to see what the end of the week brings for their five players with flu symptoms. There are also a couple of injuries that may influence selection. Second-row forward Mick Gilleran will be out of action for around six weeks following a calf injury.

The Dublin side face Highfield, who are missing number eight Brian Herlihy - out through work commitments - while they welcome Leo Murphy back from injury at prop and Kevin Cotter on the left wing. Number eight Mick Healy has returned from New Zealand but will not play this weekend.

UCD, meanwhile, are waiting for the IRFU to decide whether they can refix their January 9th match against NIFC for a later date. The two clubs have agreed on the free weekend of January 30th but must get official sanction.

UCD are due to play their European Student Championship quarter-final against Brunel in England on Wednesday January 6th, having beaten the fancied Toulouse in their pool match at Belfield before Christmas. The students have a few knocks, but nothing too serious, although for Saturday's away fixture against Richmond, they will wait until later in the week to see if their influential out-half, Brian O'Driscoll, has recovered from an injury picked up against the French side.

There are no scheduled Division Four games until January 9th.