Rugby Previews

AIB LEAGUE

DIVISION ONE

Ballymena v Clontarf,

Eaton Park, (2.30)

CLONTARF, SIXTH but within a point of three teams, have lost two of their last three away but have Martin Dufficy and Paul O’Donohoe back at half-back.

Forecast:Clontarf to win.

Buccaneers v Young Munster,

Dubarry Park

THE POINT of no return for Young Munster, for whom defeat will mean a return to Division Two. Buccs know that a win will secure their place in Division 1B.

Forecast:Buccs to win.

Dolphin v Garryowen,

Musgrave Park

One of two all-Munster eight-pointers. Ten successive wins have propelled Garryowen to first place but the hugely influential James Coughlan and Nick Williams are available to Dolphin.

Forecast:Dolphin to win.

Dungannon v Blackrock College,

Stevenson Park

The free-running, free-scoring Rock boys are well placed to earn a home semi-final. Rock have released openside James Ronan for the under-20 final against UL Bohs in Tullamore, while Paul Ryan’s injury means Des Dillon moves to number eight. Kyle Tonetti is again at outhalf. Forecast: Blackrock to win.

Galwegians v Terenure College,

Crowley Park

WITH GALWEGIANS safe and Terenure doomed this is the top flight’s only dead rubber.

Forecast:Galwegians to win.

Old Belvedere v Cork Constitution,

Anglesea Road.

Resoundingly beaten in the league by ’Rock and in the AIB Cup final by Ballynahinch, the injury-hit champions are faltering, but Jeremy Manning is available. Belvo still entertain faint hopes of a place in Division 1A.

Forecast:Con to win.

St Mary’s College v UCD,

Templeville Road

Mary’s are still in the play-off hunt, while UCD need a win or a defeat for Munsters to ensure top flight status before hosting Munsters next week. The home backs coach Shaun McCarthy may face UCD’s Ireland Under-20 starlet Ian McKinley.

Forecast:Mary's to win.

UL Bohemians v Shannon,

Annacotty

UL Bohs won’t be helped by the clash with the Under-20 final. Munster manager Shaun Payne is on the right wing. A win would ensure a Division 1A place for the home side, while fifth-placed Shannon are only behind Con and Dolphin on points difference.

Forecast:Shannon to win.

DIVISION TWO

UCC (at home to relegation threatened Thomond), Lansdowne (at home to Malone) and Ballynahinch (at home to last-placed Instonians) are fighting a three-way tussle for promotion to Division 1B, while Wanderers host DLSP in a huge relegation dogfight at Merrion Road.

The IRFU have insisted that Ballynahinch’s re-arranged game at home to Highfield, abandoned last January, takes place on Monday despite the objections of both clubs on medical grounds.

DIVISION THREE

LEADERS CORINTHIANS are labelling their potential promotion decider with third-placed Queen’s at Corinthian Park as their biggest game in 20 years.

Second-placed Old Wesley are away to Barnhall, who along with Sunday’s Well (away to Suttonians) and Banbridge (at home to Nenagh) are in a three-way tussle to avoid a relegation play-off.