Division One

DLSP v Buccaneers, Kilternan

A second game in consecutive series against the relegation candidates will be seen as a potential launching pad for Buccaneers and if they do possess a discernible scrummaging advantage it's hard to see how that won't be transferred into points. However DLSP's scrum has held up so far, and Mark Cunningham's return in front of the roving Shane Stephens should add to their running potency, although the goal-kicking problem remains. This game should reveal whether their post-promotion euphoria has worn off but the sneaking suspicion is that it hasn't.

Last two seasons: Buccaneers 42 DLSP 3; didn't meet.

Formguide: DLSP - L D L L L. Buccaneers - W L L L W.

Leading points scorers: DLSP - Dave O'Riordan 12. Buccaneers - Simon Allnutt - Simon Allnutt 40.

Leading try scorers: DLSP - Paul McDonnell, Damien Maher, Shane Stephens 1 each. Buccaneers - Mike Devine, Rob Lee, Martyn Steffert 2 each.

Betting (all Paddy Powers): 11/4 DLSP, 18/1 Draw, 1/4 Buccs. (Handicap odds = DLSP +10pts) 5/6 DLSP, 16/1 Draw, 5/6 Buccs.

Forecast: Buccaneers to win.

Terenure v Dungannon, Lakelands Park

A locking of horns between the Irish coaching ticket that orchestrated previous wins over England, Gerry Murphy and Willie Anderson, and it is a potentially huge fixture when it comes to sorting out the top four places. With Humphreys and Howe, not to mention Bell and Cunningham, in a rich vein of form, Dungannon are further boosted by the return of the influential Tony McWhirter. Terenure will miss Girvan Dempsey, but are a well drilled side.

Last two seasons: Dungannon 22 Terenure 28, didn't meet.

Formguide: Terenure - L W W W L. Dungannon - L W W L W.

Leading points scorers: Terenure - David Lynagh 52. Dungannon - David Humphreys - 73.

Leading try scorers: Terenure - Ashley, Smyth, Governey, Lynagh, Sherriff, Miller, Quinn 1 each. Dungannon - Humphreys, Howe, Cunningham, Bell 2 each.

Betting: 1/1 Terenure, 16/1 Draw, 4/5 Dungannon. (Handicap odds = Terenure +2pts) 5/6 Terenure, 16/1 Draw, 5/6 Dungannon.

Forecast: Dungannon to win.

Shannon v Ballymena, Thomond Park

Rhys Ellison's return is much needed, both defensively and offensively, in a hitherto undistinguished Shannon backline. After just 18 minutes' AIL rugby in 13 months he's bound to be rusty. However, it could again require a huge effort from the pack. Ballymena's three wins have come when Dion O'Cuinneagain has been in the team and when they've been at Eaton Park.

Last two seasons: Shannon 19 Ballymena 13; Ballymena 23 Shannon 3.

Formguide: Shannon - L L W W L. Ballymena - W L W L W.

Leading points scorers: Shannon - Conor Burke 48. Ballymena -Simon Mason - 46.

Leading try scorers: Shannon - Mick Galwey 2. Ballymena - Simon Broughton 4, Dion O'Cuinneagain 2.

Betting: 1/6 Shannon, 20/1 Draw, 4/1 Ballymena. (Handicap = Ballymena +14) 5/6 Shannon, 16/1 Draw, 5/6 Ballymena.

Forecast: Shannon to win.

Clontarf v Garryowen, Castle Avenue

Reputations count for nothing with Clontarf coach Alex Wyllie who has dropped Stu Forster and has shuffled his backline with pretty much the same personnel for the sixth game running.

Recently engaged Keith Wood is absent for Garryowen but they look set to continue their winning run.

Last two seasons: Clontarf 15 Garryowen 23; Garryowen 22 Clontarf 15.

Formguide: Clontarf - L L L L L. Garryowen - W L L W W.

Leading points scorers: Clontarf - Richie Murphy 43. Garryowen - Killian Keane 34.

Leading try scorers: Clontarf - Craig Brownlie, Dave O'Brien 1 each. Garryowen - McNamara, O'Riordan, Staunton, Wallace, Connolly, Keane 2 each.

Betting: 9/2 Clontarf, 20/1 Draw, 1/8 Garryowen. (Handicap + Clontarf +16pts) 5/6 Clontarf, 16/1 Draw, 5/6 Garryowen.

Forecast: Garryowen to win.

Cork Constitution v Lansdowne, Temple Hill

Lansdowne, seeking a first win at Temple Hill, are buoyed by the return of Shane Horgan and Gordon D'Arcy, and Reggie Corrigan who passed a fitness test although Ollie Ennis, Brian Cusack (on the bench) and Gabriel Fulcher have been ruled out. Marcus Dillon, a rare finisher of top quality, has been sidelined for the season. Save for the absent Brian O'Meara, Constitution are pretty much at full-strength. Ronan O'Gara could do with a restorative display too. You sense Lansdowne could well sneak it.

Last two seasons: Cork Con 26 Lansdowne 19; Lansdowne 24 Cork Con 17.

Formguide: Cork Con - L W L W L. Lansdowne - W D L W W.

Leading points scorers: Cork Con - Ronan O'Gara 30. Lansdowne - Barry Everitt - 69.

Leading try scorers: Cork Con - Cian Mahony, Anthony Horgan, Mick O'Driscoll, Dillon, Kiernan, Conor Horgan 1 each. Lansdowne - Shane Horgan 2.

Betting: 4/6 Cork Con, 16/1 Draw, 6/5 Lansdowne. (Handicap = Lansdowne +4pts) 5/6 Con, 16/1 Draw, 5/6 Lansdowne.

Forecast: Cork Con to win.

St Mary's v Young Munster, Templeville Road

This fixture rarely disappoints and if the weather holds, the big crowd shouldn't disappoint. Brent Pope has been reasonably encouraged to learn that both centres, Gareth Gannon and Mark McHugh, have been declared fit despite missing training earlier in the week. Five of last Saturday's Ireland squad will play, with St Mary's seemingly having a bit more cutting edge compared to Munsters and a significant advantage in the line-outs.

Last two seasons: St Mary's 13 Young Munster 7; Young Munster 15 St Mary's 31.

Formguide: St Mary's - W W W W L. Young Munster - W W W L W.

Leading points scorers: St Mary's - Mark McHugh 52. Young Munster - Tom Cregan 87.

Leading try scorers: St Mary's - John McWeeney 3. Young Munster - Tom Cregan 2.

Betting: 2/9 St Mary's, 18/1 Draw, 3/1 Young Munster. (Handicap odds = Young Munster +9pts) 5/6 St Mary's, 16/1 Draw, 5/6 Young Munster.

Division Two

Old Belvedere v City Of Derry, Anglesea Road

A bit of a crunch game for two of the five teams on two defeats, but particularly Old Belvedere in light of their disappointing defeat at home to Crescent last week. City of Derry's early barrage of tries has dried up (15 in their first four games, seven in their last four) but they could have enough pack power to win another of these proverbial eight-pointers.

Formguide: Old Belvedere - W W W W L. City of Derry - W L L W W.

Forecast: City of Derry to win.

UCD v Galwegians, Belfield Bowl

Yet another promotion eight-pointer on what looks like being the most revealing day of the Division Two campaign thus far. The students's irreverent showing in Blackrock last week showed they mightn't be an early season flash in the pan. Could be tight and relatively low-scoring.

Formguide: UCD - W W W W L. Galwegians - W W L W W.

Forecast: Galwegians to win.

Greystones v Wanderers, Dr Hickey Park

Greystones are one of only four teams in the country without an AIL win to date. They have rested for three weeks, are at home, and are perhaps due a win against a side that looks to be faltering.

Formguide: Greystones - L L L D L. Wanderers - L L W L L.

Forecast: Greystones to win.

Blackrock v Sunday's Well, Stradbrook

Not unexpectedly, the various representative demands on Blackrock's first-team squad are now beginning to be felt and with Bob Casey and Gary Halpin absent, Blackrock could be also be without Brian O'Driscoll. Blackrock are supremely confident and are one of the two unbeaten sides in the country (Trinity is the other).

Formguide: Blackrock - W W W W W. Sunday's Well - W W W L W.

Forecast: Blackrock to win.

Dolphin v Portadown, Musgrave Park

Dolphin ended a run of four successive defeats with last Sunday's win over UCC, which effectively puts them safe. Portadown sit in the sole automatic relegation place to Division Three and this could be close enough.

Formguide: Dolphin - L L L L W. Portadown - L W L L L.

Forecast: Dolphin to win.

Belfast Harlequins v Malone, Deramore Park

The jury is still out on Harlequins' promotion credentials. Overdue first tries of the campaign for their representative wingers Spencer Bromley and Sheldon Coulter suggest they are perhaps prepared for their derby with Malone, who have only conceded four tries once this season.

Formguide: Belfast Harlequins - W W L W W. Malone - W L W L L.

Forecast: Belfast Harlequins to win.

SUNDAY

UCC v Bective Rangers, Mardyke Grounds

The students' free-fall continues apace, and a run of six league games without a win can hardly have been assuaged by the midweek disappointment in Bayonne. Despite inconsistent form, Bective should claim another victory tomorrow.

Formguide: UCC - L L D L L. Bective - L W L W L.

Forecast: Bective to win.