The Ulster Bank All-Ireland League, the All-Ireland Bateman Cup, the Kukri Qualifying Leagues and the Gordon West Cup take centre stage for Ulster clubs this weekend.
In the AIL Ballymena, Banbridge and City of Derry have carried their good form into 2016 in pursuit of promotion from Divisions 1B, 2A and 2B respectively.
Ballynahinch and Belfast Harlequins opened the year with crucial wins as they look to retain their status in Divisions 1A and 1B, while Queen’s University won the Belfast ‘derby’ against Malone, both teams pushing for a top four finish and the Division 2A playoffs.
In Division 2B both Dungannon and Armagh lost their home games, while Rainey OB made the long haul to Cork to find the Highfield pitch was unplayable.
Ulster sides in Division 1A and 1B have a weekend off because of the Bateman Cup semi-finals and the Provinces’ British and Irish Cup fixtures.
The semi-finals of the All-Ireland Bateman Cup involve the Senior Cup winners in Ulster, Leinster, Munster and Connacht so First Trust Senior Cup winners Ballynahinch travel to play Connacht’s Galwegians at Crawley Park in Galway.
THE BIG KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE ISSUES
In the Kukri Qualifying League there’ a top-of-the-table clash involving Qualifying One leaders Bangor against reigning league champions Instonians at Shaws Bridge.
These clubs have already met twice this season, Instonians winning the league meeting at Uprichard Park 22 – 21, Bangor then winning Instonians 7 - 5 in the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup in December. Bangor has an eight-point advantage over second-placed Instonians, the latter with a game in hand.
The battle to finish in the top four and qualify for next season's Ulster Bank All-Ireland Junior Cup features six teams fighting, with just seven points separating them, for the third and fourth places.
If an Ulster team returns to the AIL through the play-offs the fifth-placed side will take its place in the AIL Junior Cup. At the other end of the spectrum CIYMS and Ards occupy the bottom two places, the 10th-placed team automatically relegated, the ninth-placed team heading for a play-off.
In Qualifying Two Carrickfergus remain favourites to win the league after chasing Coleraine suffered a surprise defeat at Academy. There will surely continue to be twists and turns in this division, where just four points separate five teams, from Enniskillen in third place to Randalstown in seventh.
Grosvenor, Lisburn and Ballymoney occupy the bottom three places with six points separating these sides.
In Qualifying Three Limavady remains undefeated after fifteen matches and hold a huge 20-point lead over UUC, third-placed PSNI a further point behind as those two sides battle for a play-off spot.
Ballynahinch v Galwegians
The Bateman Cup, contested by the four Provincial Senior Cup-winners, was won by Ballynahinch in 2008/09, defeating Cork Constitution 17 - 6 in a memorable Final at Dubarry Park when all AIL clubs competed.
Ballynahinch’s Director of Rugby Ronnie Duncan is confident, his team having beaten Galwegians 33 - 16 last weekend at home, though losing 33 - 16 at Crawley Park in November.
Because of British and Irish Cup commitments Ballynahinch does not expect to have any of its Ulster players, ruling out John Donnan, Peter Browne, Conor Joyce, Lorcan Dow, Jonny Murphy, Ruhidhri Murphy, Jonny Simpson, Sam Windsor and Paul Rowley.
The squad is expected to include a front row of Jonny Blair – impressive last weekend - Zack McCall or Andrew Harper, Craig Trenier, a second-row of James Simpson and Jonny Madden and a back-row of David McGuigan, captain Paul Pritchard and Michael Graham.
Chris Gibson and Richard Reaney will start at half-back, Jordan Gratton and Robin Harte will form the centre pairing, with Chris Quinn and either Aaron Cairns or Aaron Ferris on the wings with Manihera Eden at full-back. The bench will include Chris Stevenson, Harper or McCall, Ben Pentland, Stuart Evans, Justin Rea, James McBriar and Ross Carlisle.
What pleased the coaches against Galwegians last weekend was that the team played for 80 minutes, with Conor Joyce adjusting to the physical demands of AIL 1A rugby, while Sam Windsor had his best game of the season for ‘Hinch in both defence and attack after returning from injury.
And with great emphasis being put on fitness and player development ‘Hinch travels optimistically on Saturday, but acutely aware of the threat posed by a Galwegians outfit which is well-drilled.
Bateman Cup Semi-finals
Galwegians v Ballynahinch
UCD v Cork Constitution
ULSTER BANK ALL IRELAND LEAGUE
Division 2A
Banbridge v UUC
With seven games remaining Banbridge have opened up a six-point lead on Malone and opponents University College, Cork, will find life difficult at Rifle Park on Saturday.
Daniel Soper and Simon Best insist on the players taking each game on its own merits, and though UUC may be in fourth place and eight points behind Banbridge but they have a game in hand, so a win for the Cork students would put them back into contention for automatic promotion.
Banbridge makes one change from the squad that secured a first AIL win down south last Saturday, 20-18 against Cashel. This will be Ryan Patterson's last AIL game for Banbridge as he moves to the USA to work and injury continues to rule out Nico Vorster.
The current team is very much locally-based and there’s a strong community core to the club itself. Soper, of course, ‘doubles up’ as coach at Banbridge Academy and he, his management team and players are targeting joining neighbours Ballynahinch in the top AIL tier.
The coach has a core of experienced players led by Colin Bickerstaff (Most capped AIL player at the club) Dale Carson and Chris Allen who is not far off 100 AIL appearances for the 1st XV.
Soper is aware too that UUC is a quality side, and when these two sides met in the corresponding fixture in November the students were narrow 27 - 26 winners. Aware too of the pressure of being top-of-the-table Soper has set the team targets of points returns from four-match blocks.
For his players Saturday's match is a ‘must win’ game, one where they can put distance between themselves and the chasing pack.
Malone v Nenagh Ormond
There was disappointment for Malone’s coaches last weekend when the team forfeited 13- 0 and 25 - 21 leads against Queens University at ‘the Dub’, losing 31 - 25.
The disappointment of losing two Belfast ‘derbies’ against the students might have an impact on the promotion ambitions of the East Belfast club, but it still is handily-laced in second spot.
Injury rules out second-row James McAllister, and back-row Richard Millar faces a late fitness test to take his spot, Jonny Ogilby coming into the back-row. Examinations on Saturday morning mean No.8 Ross Todd is an absentee, Ben McDonnell stepping up. When the two sides met at Gibson Park in November Malone won 47 – 10 but last week seventh-placed Nenagh started 2016 with a win as it pushes to move away from the bottom half of the table.
The replacements’ bench sees the return from injury of Chris Griffiths and Dave Cave who are joined by Josh Ferguson, Michael Cartmill and Mark O'Connor.
Queen’s University v Cashel RFC
Queen’s, in sixth place, completed the ‘double’ over Malone last weekend to remain in contention for a play-off place.
Head coach Bob Young has been blighted by injury problems all season, and last Saturday he lost influential out-half Jack Milligan early in the game, and he’s ruled out for several weeks.
His replacement Ali Wright kicked five-from-five to contribute eleven crucial points in the students’ 31 - 25 win, but Ulster ‘A ‘ calls are expected to deprive him off several players, including Alex Thompson, Robert Lyttle, Liam Free and Jonny McPhillips.
But an omen for Young and his charges is that Queen’s won the corresponding fixture at Spafield 26 - 23 in November, and they would settle for a repeat - late try included! – against a Cashel team one place above the students in the table.
Division 2A Fixtures
Banbridge v UUC
Galway Corinthians v Naas
Nenagh Ormond v Malone
Queen’s University v Cashel RFC
Thomond v Skerries
Division 2B
Armagh v Bective Rangers
There was disappointment as Armagh lost 16-14 at home to Sunday's Well last weekend, and once again this season’s home form has undermined the Palace Grounds outfit, having already lost a crucial AIL game to Highfield.
The battle for the top four and the play-offs doesn't get any easier, and wins for Barnhall and Bective Rangers at Greystones and Dungannon last weekend have put pressure on Armagh, Dungannon and Rainey to pick up much-needed points to avoid finishing in the bottom.
The trip to Bevtive at Donnybrook throws up another ‘must win’ scenario with just four points and one place separating these two sides in the table.
City of Derry (1st) v Highfield (2nd)
This is the return fixture City of Derry Head Coach Terry McMaster has been waiting for since his team were ‘robbed’, he felt, of a win at Highfield in November going down narrowly by 29 -27.
Ulster referee Oisin Quinn has been appointed to take charge of this crucial head-to-head meeting of these two top sides in the division at Judges Road. The City of Derry coach has no injury worries apart from winger Neil Brown who continues to recover from a shoulder injury.
Experienced out-half Richard McCarter returns to the squad after being rested last weekend, and the talented Richard Baird has returned to the squad. Coach McMaster is an advocate of making maximum use of his bench during games and is adept at using rolling replacements.
His squad has prepared well for this weekend and he is well aware of the threat Highfield poses to his team’s league ambitions, but City of Derry has an eleven-point advantage over Highfield who have a game in hand, so clearly this clash is very important as the big promotion and relegation issues sharpen into focus. A big crowd is sure to watch events unfold with keen interest.
Rainey OB (8th) v Greystones (4th)
Rainey OB will be glad to get back to playing rugby after the huge disappointment last weekend when travelling to Cork only to have the match at Highfield postponed.
Head Coach John Andrews welcomes back Timothy Barker, Jonny Lees and Ronan McCusker after exams ruled them out last weekend, with the experienced Nicholas Stirling available again in the backs. Greystones suffered an unexpected 17 -5 defeat at MU Barnhall last Saturday, so a win is crucial for Rainey with six points separating the five teams in fifth to ninth place in the table.
When the sides met earlier in the campaign Greystones ran out narrow 27 - 23 winners, and as both teams need maximum points to secure a play-off place this match has all the potential to be a high-scoring affair at Hatrick Park.
Dungannon v MU Barnhall
Dungannon need to pick up points suffered a surprising 7 - 3 defeat at home to Bective Rangers last weekend, and Head Coach Andy Hughes was bitterly disappointed by the result.
His team had two tries disallowed, and two kickable penalties missed but he still felt his team should have won.
Dungannon became another team to fall foul of the uncontested scrums rules - a topic currently causing much debate within AIL clubs.
The only change the coach makes to last week's team is skipper James McMahon’s return to the back-row, replacing the unavailable Mark Riddell. Barnhall again defied their lowly ninth position to defeat promotion-chasing Greystones away last week, so for Dungannon in seventh place the players must not be complacent.
With eight matches remaining in this league the Tyrone side wants to dramatically improve its position in the league, currently seventh.
Division 2B Fixtures
Bective Rangers v Armagh
City of Derry v Highfield
MU Barnhall v Dungannon
Rainey OB v Greystones
Sunday's Well v Seapoint
Division 2C Fixtures
Bruff v Wanderers
Kanturk v Dundalk RFC
Old Crescent v Sligo
Tullamore v Midleton
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE ONE
CIYMS v Portadown
The East Belfast side, now tenth in the table, is running out of matches as it lost their tenth match away to Belfast neighbours Cooke 27 - 8 at the weekend. They are now seven points behind ninth-placed Ards, and seventeen points behind Cooke in eighth, and just eight games remaining.
The task for CI Head Coach Gareth Fry does not get any easier as they meet a Portadown side determined to consolidate its top four place in the league.
His Portadown counterpart Richard Hedley was pleased his players followed up a convincing Towns’ Cup win at Limavady with five tries in their 31 - 3 win over neighbours Dromore. Hedley has slight doubts over Gary Hall, Gareth McCoy and Johnny McClure.
Mark Henderson returns at prop with Mal Allister unavailable. These two sides have already met twice this season, Portadown winning a Junior Cup match at Belmont in October by 21-13 and the league encounter at Chambers Park by 16-5 in November.
Clogher Valley v Cooke
Third-placed Clogher Valley will want to strengthen its third-place position by picking up maximum points from the visit of Cooke to the Cran on Saturday.
With no league action last Saturday Clogher beat Randalstown 22-7 in the postponed Towns’ Cup match. This week both Matthew Keyes and Nathan Orr are unavailable for selection, and winger Andy Breen is ruled out with a hamstring injury.
This weekend the team has a front row of Richard Primrose, Kyle Cobane and Philip Hopper, a second-row of Michael Treanor and Eugene McKenna, with Barry John Wilson, skipper David Sharkey and No.8 Ryan Wilson make up the breakaway unit.
Neil Trotter continues with Aaron Best at half-back, David Speers and Allister Trenier are in the centre with Keith Todd and Clive Donaldson on the wings and Fleming Agnew at full-back. Both Philip Moore and Mark Ellis take their place on the bench.
Cooke Head Coach Colin Atkinson has watched his seventh-placed team win its last three league with seven points separating them from Clogher Valley in third. He was delighted with the manner his players ran in five tries in the 27-8 win over CIYMS last week.
For the trip to the West this he welcomes back Niall Brown and Andrew Quigley in the pack. Kyle Mitchell and Alan Gourlay are unavailable in the backs and will be replaced by Ian Anderson and Jonny Kingham for what is an important game for both teams.
Dromore v Ballyclare
Head Coach Jonny Cullen was disappointed with his Dromore side’s performance against Portadown last week, sat in their 31 - 3 defeat, and he’s expecting a response from his players on Saturday against fifth-placed Ballyclare.
Robert Greer returns to the pack with a number of players undergoing fitness tests late in the week before the team is finalised.
Ballyclare Head Coach Mike McKeever agreed Instonians stuck to their game plan and ended up 25 - 5 winners last week, but hopes for better fortune on Saturday.
His in-form players are Michael Rainey, Willie Logan, Andrew Butler and Dave Lawther, with Andy Watson and Gary Clotworthy impressing at half-back last Saturday. He is expecting a great game with Dromore this week at Barben Hill, for when When the teams met at the Cloughan in November Ballyclare ran out 27 - 23 winners.
Instonians v Bangor
Instonians’ coach William Leacock is looking forward to the meeting of the two best teams in Qualifying One this weekend at Shaws Bridge.
Bangor is eight points ahead of Instonians, who have a game in hand, so it’s everything to play for this weekend. He agrees it's a big game and will ultimately have a major bearing on the outcome of the league and views it as Bangor's to lose.
Leacock’s young squad has been playing well of late and shown signs of maturity as a group but Bangor will be a huge test, and he’s looking forward to the challenge against the league leaders.
His squad has a settled look to it and he will go with the same squad that played against Ballyclare.
Bangor player-coach Jason Morgan agrees it will be a big match given what is at stake for both sides but he knows what to expect from Instonians and its good setpiece, direct runners and excellent kicking game.
Morgan has already guided Bangor to the Junior Cup, and he now to show the league champions why Bangor is ready to make the step up to Senior rugby next season.
Morgan says the match will be season-defining for both clubs, so expect another tight contest to go the distance on Saturday.
Injuries will deprive Bangor of Curtis Stewart, Desi Fusco and Mike Weir but there will be recalls for Michael Ferguson, Andrew Jackson and Rob Gamble. Former Methody and Ulster Under 19 out-half Gareth Millar is being considered to start. .All the ingredients are there for this eagerly awaited contest that will bring a large crowd to the Shaws Bridge venue.
Omagh v Ards
Omagh coach Philip Marshall is expecting to make only one change to his starting squad from the postponed match at Bangor last Saturday with second row Jamie Sproule undergoing a late fitness test.
He’s concerned his top four ambitions are going to be impacted by recent postponements and the plethora of midweek games to be played before the league programme concludes at the end of March.
Ards Director of Rugby Stephen Nutt is focused on the remaining nine games as his team battles to retain their position in Qualifying One after being relegated from the AIL last season. His squad is boosted by the return of experienced prop Jonny Wylie with exciting full-back Nathan Graham another two weeks away from playing after injury.
KUKRI QUALIFYING ONE FIXTURES
Clogher Valley v Cooke
Dromore v Ballyclare
Instonians v Bangor
Omagh v Ards
KUKRI QUALIFYING TWO
Coleraine (2nd) v Larne (4th)
There was disappointment in the Coleraine camp as it missed the opportunity to take four points from Academy last Saturday, going down to a surprise defeat.
Coach Richard Boyd has been loyal to his squad and will expect a response from his players when Larne are the visitors to Rugby Avenue this weekend. The teams met at The Glynn in November when Coleraine were comfortable 16 - 0 winners but at the moment Coleraine will be disappointed they failed to close the gap on leaders Carrickfergus but do remain ten points ahead of third-placed Enniskillen who have a game in hand.
Larne Head coach Ryan Milligan was very disappointed his team did not take the four points out of the game lost at home to Enniskillen, and his team had enough possession and territory in the first half to win this match but suffered rustiness from not playing for three weeks.
The coach is still missing Craig Gibson and Ian McIheron, but hopes to welcome back Scott Montgomery.
Donaghadee v Carrickfergus
There’s a cracking game in prospect at Donaldson Park this weekend when a resurgent Donaghadee takes on league leaders Carrickfergus.
New Donaghadee coach John West was delighted with the character and commitment shown by his players in their 18 - 15 win at Ballymoney last weekend. He is expecting to make two changes this week due to the unavailability of Max Montgomery and Owen Roberts. There is a desire and commitment amongst the ‘Dee squad to have a strong finish to the second half of the season.
Carrickfergus Head Coach Neil Hanna is now entering his fourth season at the club, and there is a team ethos and desire to play for the club.
The attitude in the First XV squad is to take it one game at a time, they know they can't be complacent because every team is capable of beating each other in this league. Hanna has set his players the target of winning 18 Cup finals, and that is the approach they are adopting to each league match.
The team lost its centre pairing of Jonny Cullen (now to Head coach at Dromore) and Jonny Sherriff who is unavailable this season due to work commitments. They have been replaced by Ryan Bailey and Reece Hamilton. Several young players have come through from the Youth and local Grammar School to push for places on the Firsts again, increasing competition for starting places.
Last season's Under 18 scrum-half Conor Cambridge has secured the No.9 jersey, with another exciting talent Sam Wallace pushing for a place. The recent Towns’ Cup match against a formidable Ballynahinch Seconds demonstrated how close Carrick is to the standards set in the AIL. .
Enniskillen v Grosvenor
‘Skins’ Head coach Norman Richmond is looking forward to this third meeting of the season with Grosvenor who are coached by former Enniskillen coach Alasdair McKee.
Enniskillen defeated Grosvenor 54 - 0 in a Junior Cup match at Mullaghmeen in September. When the teams met in the first of their league games at Belmont in November’ Skins’ again came out on top.
Enniskillen is looking to close the gap on second-placed Coleraine with 10th- place Grosvenor needing league points to remain in the division.
Enniskillen make a number of changes from the 13 - 12 win at Larne with Steven Fox returning to the front row, James Ferguson and Jack Harte return to the squad after injury and sickness, while both Stevie Welsh and Stevie Neill are unavailable for selection this weekend. The game is a ‘must win’ for Enniskillen to keep the pressure on Coleraine and Carrick.
Grosvenor has played only one match since mid-November. But that break has given a few of the clubs injured players a chance to recover from injury. There is a real belief Grosvenor can retain its place in the division, particularly with six of their remaining nine games to be played at home.
Captain Stuart Smyth, Dbo Bowden and Sam Purdon have all returned from injury in the forwards, and Grosvenor has a talented backline led by out-half Neil Adams.
Lisburn v Academy
These are tough times for Lisburn Head coach Neil Hinds and his players, they’ve lost their last five games in all competitions with their last win coming at Donaghadee in December.
Six points separate the bottom three teams - Grosvenor, Lisburn and Ballymoney - in Qualifying Two. Academy has already defeated Lisburn at Roughfort 22-7 in November, so it’s certainly a crucial game for ninth-placed Lisburn against opponents three spots better off.
Academy Head coach Gareth Lynn is delighted in the turnaround in his team’s performances since their heavy defeat at Coleraine, defeating Enniskillen and Randalstown and it overturned the defeat by Coleraine by winning 19 - 13 last weekend.
These results have had a big impact in numbers attending training and the coach is aiming for his team to finish in the top four. The effort, application and attitude of the players has been excellent. Captain Chris Cooper once again contributed all his team’s 19 points last week, and scored 17 points in the side’s win over Lisburn when the two teams last met.
The team shows two changes from last weekend with centre Jordan Buchanan unavailable with Kyle Dobbin returning to the starting line-up.
The team is: Chris Nash, Ricky Press and Adam Martin; Richard Henderson and Graham Dobbin; Kyle Dobbin, Clark Cooper and No.8 Keith Dobbin. At half-back are Gavin Braiden and Chris Cooper, Stephen Fawcett partners Andy Eggleton in the centre, Norman Carson and Ben Cave are on the wings with Simon Beattie at full-back.
The coach has set his players and team targets to achieve in each block of fixtures. They are expecting a difficult match at Blaris as the home side battle to overturn their losing run.
Randalstown v Ballymoney
Four defeats in the last four matches have pushed Randalstown down the table, and though the margins of defeat have been narrow that has been the case in this league: small margins deciding the outcome of games.
The last win came against Grosvenor in November, and Head Coach Gary Longwell and his players face another tough game when Ballymoney make the trip to Nelisbrook Park this weekend.
Ballymoney Head coach Jimmy Carson felt his players let slip another win against Donaghadee last wekend losing 18 - 15 at home. He felt his players had enough chances to win the game.
Apart from a re-occurring injury that rules the coach out this weekend Ballymoney will pick from the same squad which played against Donaghadee.
KUKRI QUALIFYING TWO FIXTURES
Coleraine v Larne
Donaghadee v Carrickfergus
Enniskillen v Grosvenor
Lisburn v Academy
Randalstown v Ballymoney
GORDON WEST CUP
BHSFP v UUC
Letterkenny v PSNI
Monaghan v Holywood
Ophir v Strabane
Byes: Limavady, Civil Service, Lurgan, Newry
SECOND XV LEAGUE
Ballynahinch 2nds v Belfast Harlequins 2nds
In the AIL Ballymena, Banbridge and City of Derry have carried their good form into 2016 in pursuit of promotion from Divisions 1B, 2A and 2B respectively.
Ballynahinch and Belfast Harlequins opened the year with crucial wins as they look to retain their status in Divisions 1A and 1B, while Queen’s University won the Belfast ‘derby’ against Malone, both teams pushing for a top four finish and the Division 2A playoffs.
In Division 2B both Dungannon and Armagh lost their home games, while Rainey OB made the long haul to Cork to find the Highfield pitch was unplayable.
Ulster sides in Division 1A and 1B have a weekend off because of the Bateman Cup semi-finals and the Provinces’ British and Irish Cup fixtures.
The semi-finals of the All-Ireland Bateman Cup involve the Senior Cup winners in Ulster, Leinster, Munster and Connacht so First Trust Senior Cup winners Ballynahinch travel to play Connacht’s Galwegians at Crawley Park in Galway.
THE BIG KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE ISSUES
In the Kukri Qualifying League there’ a top-of-the-table clash involving Qualifying One leaders Bangor against reigning league champions Instonians at Shaws Bridge.
These clubs have already met twice this season, Instonians winning the league meeting at Uprichard Park 22 – 21, Bangor then winning Instonians 7 - 5 in the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup in December. Bangor has an eight-point advantage over second-placed Instonians, the latter with a game in hand.
The battle to finish in the top four and qualify for next season's Ulster Bank All-Ireland Junior Cup features six teams fighting, with just seven points separating them, for the third and fourth places.
If an Ulster team returns to the AIL through the play-offs the fifth-placed side will take its place in the AIL Junior Cup. At the other end of the spectrum CIYMS and Ards occupy the bottom two places, the 10th-placed team automatically relegated, the ninth-placed team heading for a play-off.
In Qualifying Two Carrickfergus remain favourites to win the league after chasing Coleraine suffered a surprise defeat at Academy. There will surely continue to be twists and turns in this division, where just four points separate five teams, from Enniskillen in third place to Randalstown in seventh.
Grosvenor, Lisburn and Ballymoney occupy the bottom three places with six points separating these sides.
In Qualifying Three Limavady remains undefeated after fifteen matches and hold a huge 20-point lead over UUC, third-placed PSNI a further point behind as those two sides battle for a play-off spot.
Ballynahinch v Galwegians
The Bateman Cup, contested by the four Provincial Senior Cup-winners, was won by Ballynahinch in 2008/09, defeating Cork Constitution 17 - 6 in a memorable Final at Dubarry Park when all AIL clubs competed.
Ballynahinch’s Director of Rugby Ronnie Duncan is confident, his team having beaten Galwegians 33 - 16 last weekend at home, though losing 33 - 16 at Crawley Park in November.
Because of British and Irish Cup commitments Ballynahinch does not expect to have any of its Ulster players, ruling out John Donnan, Peter Browne, Conor Joyce, Lorcan Dow, Jonny Murphy, Ruhidhri Murphy, Jonny Simpson, Sam Windsor and Paul Rowley.
The squad is expected to include a front row of Jonny Blair – impressive last weekend - Zack McCall or Andrew Harper, Craig Trenier, a second-row of James Simpson and Jonny Madden and a back-row of David McGuigan, captain Paul Pritchard and Michael Graham.
Chris Gibson and Richard Reaney will start at half-back, Jordan Gratton and Robin Harte will form the centre pairing, with Chris Quinn and either Aaron Cairns or Aaron Ferris on the wings with Manihera Eden at full-back. The bench will include Chris Stevenson, Harper or McCall, Ben Pentland, Stuart Evans, Justin Rea, James McBriar and Ross Carlisle.
What pleased the coaches against Galwegians last weekend was that the team played for 80 minutes, with Conor Joyce adjusting to the physical demands of AIL 1A rugby, while Sam Windsor had his best game of the season for ‘Hinch in both defence and attack after returning from injury.
And with great emphasis being put on fitness and player development ‘Hinch travels optimistically on Saturday, but acutely aware of the threat posed by a Galwegians outfit which is well-drilled.
Bateman Cup Semi-finals
Galwegians v Ballynahinch
UCD v Cork Constitution
ULSTER BANK ALL IRELAND LEAGUE
Division 2A
Banbridge v UUC
With seven games remaining Banbridge have opened up a six-point lead on Malone and opponents University College, Cork, will find life difficult at Rifle Park on Saturday.
Daniel Soper and Simon Best insist on the players taking each game on its own merits, and though UUC may be in fourth place and eight points behind Banbridge but they have a game in hand, so a win for the Cork students would put them back into contention for automatic promotion.
Banbridge makes one change from the squad that secured a first AIL win down south last Saturday, 20-18 against Cashel. This will be Ryan Patterson's last AIL game for Banbridge as he moves to the USA to work and injury continues to rule out Nico Vorster.
The current team is very much locally-based and there’s a strong community core to the club itself. Soper, of course, ‘doubles up’ as coach at Banbridge Academy and he, his management team and players are targeting joining neighbours Ballynahinch in the top AIL tier.
The coach has a core of experienced players led by Colin Bickerstaff (Most capped AIL player at the club) Dale Carson and Chris Allen who is not far off 100 AIL appearances for the 1st XV.
Soper is aware too that UUC is a quality side, and when these two sides met in the corresponding fixture in November the students were narrow 27 - 26 winners. Aware too of the pressure of being top-of-the-table Soper has set the team targets of points returns from four-match blocks.
For his players Saturday's match is a ‘must win’ game, one where they can put distance between themselves and the chasing pack.
Malone v Nenagh Ormond
There was disappointment for Malone’s coaches last weekend when the team forfeited 13- 0 and 25 - 21 leads against Queens University at ‘the Dub’, losing 31 - 25.
The disappointment of losing two Belfast ‘derbies’ against the students might have an impact on the promotion ambitions of the East Belfast club, but it still is handily-laced in second spot.
Injury rules out second-row James McAllister, and back-row Richard Millar faces a late fitness test to take his spot, Jonny Ogilby coming into the back-row. Examinations on Saturday morning mean No.8 Ross Todd is an absentee, Ben McDonnell stepping up. When the two sides met at Gibson Park in November Malone won 47 – 10 but last week seventh-placed Nenagh started 2016 with a win as it pushes to move away from the bottom half of the table.
The replacements’ bench sees the return from injury of Chris Griffiths and Dave Cave who are joined by Josh Ferguson, Michael Cartmill and Mark O'Connor.
Queen’s University v Cashel RFC
Queen’s, in sixth place, completed the ‘double’ over Malone last weekend to remain in contention for a play-off place.
Head coach Bob Young has been blighted by injury problems all season, and last Saturday he lost influential out-half Jack Milligan early in the game, and he’s ruled out for several weeks.
His replacement Ali Wright kicked five-from-five to contribute eleven crucial points in the students’ 31 - 25 win, but Ulster ‘A ‘ calls are expected to deprive him off several players, including Alex Thompson, Robert Lyttle, Liam Free and Jonny McPhillips.
But an omen for Young and his charges is that Queen’s won the corresponding fixture at Spafield 26 - 23 in November, and they would settle for a repeat - late try included! – against a Cashel team one place above the students in the table.
Division 2A Fixtures
Banbridge v UUC
Galway Corinthians v Naas
Nenagh Ormond v Malone
Queen’s University v Cashel RFC
Thomond v Skerries
Division 2B
Armagh v Bective Rangers
There was disappointment as Armagh lost 16-14 at home to Sunday's Well last weekend, and once again this season’s home form has undermined the Palace Grounds outfit, having already lost a crucial AIL game to Highfield.
The battle for the top four and the play-offs doesn't get any easier, and wins for Barnhall and Bective Rangers at Greystones and Dungannon last weekend have put pressure on Armagh, Dungannon and Rainey to pick up much-needed points to avoid finishing in the bottom.
The trip to Bevtive at Donnybrook throws up another ‘must win’ scenario with just four points and one place separating these two sides in the table.
City of Derry (1st) v Highfield (2nd)
This is the return fixture City of Derry Head Coach Terry McMaster has been waiting for since his team were ‘robbed’, he felt, of a win at Highfield in November going down narrowly by 29 -27.
Ulster referee Oisin Quinn has been appointed to take charge of this crucial head-to-head meeting of these two top sides in the division at Judges Road. The City of Derry coach has no injury worries apart from winger Neil Brown who continues to recover from a shoulder injury.
Experienced out-half Richard McCarter returns to the squad after being rested last weekend, and the talented Richard Baird has returned to the squad. Coach McMaster is an advocate of making maximum use of his bench during games and is adept at using rolling replacements.
His squad has prepared well for this weekend and he is well aware of the threat Highfield poses to his team’s league ambitions, but City of Derry has an eleven-point advantage over Highfield who have a game in hand, so clearly this clash is very important as the big promotion and relegation issues sharpen into focus. A big crowd is sure to watch events unfold with keen interest.
Rainey OB (8th) v Greystones (4th)
Rainey OB will be glad to get back to playing rugby after the huge disappointment last weekend when travelling to Cork only to have the match at Highfield postponed.
Head Coach John Andrews welcomes back Timothy Barker, Jonny Lees and Ronan McCusker after exams ruled them out last weekend, with the experienced Nicholas Stirling available again in the backs. Greystones suffered an unexpected 17 -5 defeat at MU Barnhall last Saturday, so a win is crucial for Rainey with six points separating the five teams in fifth to ninth place in the table.
When the sides met earlier in the campaign Greystones ran out narrow 27 - 23 winners, and as both teams need maximum points to secure a play-off place this match has all the potential to be a high-scoring affair at Hatrick Park.
Dungannon v MU Barnhall
Dungannon need to pick up points suffered a surprising 7 - 3 defeat at home to Bective Rangers last weekend, and Head Coach Andy Hughes was bitterly disappointed by the result.
His team had two tries disallowed, and two kickable penalties missed but he still felt his team should have won.
Dungannon became another team to fall foul of the uncontested scrums rules - a topic currently causing much debate within AIL clubs.
The only change the coach makes to last week's team is skipper James McMahon’s return to the back-row, replacing the unavailable Mark Riddell. Barnhall again defied their lowly ninth position to defeat promotion-chasing Greystones away last week, so for Dungannon in seventh place the players must not be complacent.
With eight matches remaining in this league the Tyrone side wants to dramatically improve its position in the league, currently seventh.
Division 2B Fixtures
Bective Rangers v Armagh
City of Derry v Highfield
MU Barnhall v Dungannon
Rainey OB v Greystones
Sunday's Well v Seapoint
Division 2C Fixtures
Bruff v Wanderers
Kanturk v Dundalk RFC
Old Crescent v Sligo
Tullamore v Midleton
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE ONE
CIYMS v Portadown
The East Belfast side, now tenth in the table, is running out of matches as it lost their tenth match away to Belfast neighbours Cooke 27 - 8 at the weekend. They are now seven points behind ninth-placed Ards, and seventeen points behind Cooke in eighth, and just eight games remaining.
The task for CI Head Coach Gareth Fry does not get any easier as they meet a Portadown side determined to consolidate its top four place in the league.
His Portadown counterpart Richard Hedley was pleased his players followed up a convincing Towns’ Cup win at Limavady with five tries in their 31 - 3 win over neighbours Dromore. Hedley has slight doubts over Gary Hall, Gareth McCoy and Johnny McClure.
Mark Henderson returns at prop with Mal Allister unavailable. These two sides have already met twice this season, Portadown winning a Junior Cup match at Belmont in October by 21-13 and the league encounter at Chambers Park by 16-5 in November.
Clogher Valley v Cooke
Third-placed Clogher Valley will want to strengthen its third-place position by picking up maximum points from the visit of Cooke to the Cran on Saturday.
With no league action last Saturday Clogher beat Randalstown 22-7 in the postponed Towns’ Cup match. This week both Matthew Keyes and Nathan Orr are unavailable for selection, and winger Andy Breen is ruled out with a hamstring injury.
This weekend the team has a front row of Richard Primrose, Kyle Cobane and Philip Hopper, a second-row of Michael Treanor and Eugene McKenna, with Barry John Wilson, skipper David Sharkey and No.8 Ryan Wilson make up the breakaway unit.
Neil Trotter continues with Aaron Best at half-back, David Speers and Allister Trenier are in the centre with Keith Todd and Clive Donaldson on the wings and Fleming Agnew at full-back. Both Philip Moore and Mark Ellis take their place on the bench.
Cooke Head Coach Colin Atkinson has watched his seventh-placed team win its last three league with seven points separating them from Clogher Valley in third. He was delighted with the manner his players ran in five tries in the 27-8 win over CIYMS last week.
For the trip to the West this he welcomes back Niall Brown and Andrew Quigley in the pack. Kyle Mitchell and Alan Gourlay are unavailable in the backs and will be replaced by Ian Anderson and Jonny Kingham for what is an important game for both teams.
Dromore v Ballyclare
Head Coach Jonny Cullen was disappointed with his Dromore side’s performance against Portadown last week, sat in their 31 - 3 defeat, and he’s expecting a response from his players on Saturday against fifth-placed Ballyclare.
Robert Greer returns to the pack with a number of players undergoing fitness tests late in the week before the team is finalised.
Ballyclare Head Coach Mike McKeever agreed Instonians stuck to their game plan and ended up 25 - 5 winners last week, but hopes for better fortune on Saturday.
His in-form players are Michael Rainey, Willie Logan, Andrew Butler and Dave Lawther, with Andy Watson and Gary Clotworthy impressing at half-back last Saturday. He is expecting a great game with Dromore this week at Barben Hill, for when When the teams met at the Cloughan in November Ballyclare ran out 27 - 23 winners.
Instonians v Bangor
Instonians’ coach William Leacock is looking forward to the meeting of the two best teams in Qualifying One this weekend at Shaws Bridge.
Bangor is eight points ahead of Instonians, who have a game in hand, so it’s everything to play for this weekend. He agrees it's a big game and will ultimately have a major bearing on the outcome of the league and views it as Bangor's to lose.
Leacock’s young squad has been playing well of late and shown signs of maturity as a group but Bangor will be a huge test, and he’s looking forward to the challenge against the league leaders.
His squad has a settled look to it and he will go with the same squad that played against Ballyclare.
Bangor player-coach Jason Morgan agrees it will be a big match given what is at stake for both sides but he knows what to expect from Instonians and its good setpiece, direct runners and excellent kicking game.
Morgan has already guided Bangor to the Junior Cup, and he now to show the league champions why Bangor is ready to make the step up to Senior rugby next season.
Morgan says the match will be season-defining for both clubs, so expect another tight contest to go the distance on Saturday.
Injuries will deprive Bangor of Curtis Stewart, Desi Fusco and Mike Weir but there will be recalls for Michael Ferguson, Andrew Jackson and Rob Gamble. Former Methody and Ulster Under 19 out-half Gareth Millar is being considered to start. .All the ingredients are there for this eagerly awaited contest that will bring a large crowd to the Shaws Bridge venue.
Omagh v Ards
Omagh coach Philip Marshall is expecting to make only one change to his starting squad from the postponed match at Bangor last Saturday with second row Jamie Sproule undergoing a late fitness test.
He’s concerned his top four ambitions are going to be impacted by recent postponements and the plethora of midweek games to be played before the league programme concludes at the end of March.
Ards Director of Rugby Stephen Nutt is focused on the remaining nine games as his team battles to retain their position in Qualifying One after being relegated from the AIL last season. His squad is boosted by the return of experienced prop Jonny Wylie with exciting full-back Nathan Graham another two weeks away from playing after injury.
KUKRI QUALIFYING ONE FIXTURES
Clogher Valley v Cooke
Dromore v Ballyclare
Instonians v Bangor
Omagh v Ards
KUKRI QUALIFYING TWO
Coleraine (2nd) v Larne (4th)
There was disappointment in the Coleraine camp as it missed the opportunity to take four points from Academy last Saturday, going down to a surprise defeat.
Coach Richard Boyd has been loyal to his squad and will expect a response from his players when Larne are the visitors to Rugby Avenue this weekend. The teams met at The Glynn in November when Coleraine were comfortable 16 - 0 winners but at the moment Coleraine will be disappointed they failed to close the gap on leaders Carrickfergus but do remain ten points ahead of third-placed Enniskillen who have a game in hand.
Larne Head coach Ryan Milligan was very disappointed his team did not take the four points out of the game lost at home to Enniskillen, and his team had enough possession and territory in the first half to win this match but suffered rustiness from not playing for three weeks.
The coach is still missing Craig Gibson and Ian McIheron, but hopes to welcome back Scott Montgomery.
Donaghadee v Carrickfergus
There’s a cracking game in prospect at Donaldson Park this weekend when a resurgent Donaghadee takes on league leaders Carrickfergus.
New Donaghadee coach John West was delighted with the character and commitment shown by his players in their 18 - 15 win at Ballymoney last weekend. He is expecting to make two changes this week due to the unavailability of Max Montgomery and Owen Roberts. There is a desire and commitment amongst the ‘Dee squad to have a strong finish to the second half of the season.
Carrickfergus Head Coach Neil Hanna is now entering his fourth season at the club, and there is a team ethos and desire to play for the club.
The attitude in the First XV squad is to take it one game at a time, they know they can't be complacent because every team is capable of beating each other in this league. Hanna has set his players the target of winning 18 Cup finals, and that is the approach they are adopting to each league match.
The team lost its centre pairing of Jonny Cullen (now to Head coach at Dromore) and Jonny Sherriff who is unavailable this season due to work commitments. They have been replaced by Ryan Bailey and Reece Hamilton. Several young players have come through from the Youth and local Grammar School to push for places on the Firsts again, increasing competition for starting places.
Last season's Under 18 scrum-half Conor Cambridge has secured the No.9 jersey, with another exciting talent Sam Wallace pushing for a place. The recent Towns’ Cup match against a formidable Ballynahinch Seconds demonstrated how close Carrick is to the standards set in the AIL. .
Enniskillen v Grosvenor
‘Skins’ Head coach Norman Richmond is looking forward to this third meeting of the season with Grosvenor who are coached by former Enniskillen coach Alasdair McKee.
Enniskillen defeated Grosvenor 54 - 0 in a Junior Cup match at Mullaghmeen in September. When the teams met in the first of their league games at Belmont in November’ Skins’ again came out on top.
Enniskillen is looking to close the gap on second-placed Coleraine with 10th- place Grosvenor needing league points to remain in the division.
Enniskillen make a number of changes from the 13 - 12 win at Larne with Steven Fox returning to the front row, James Ferguson and Jack Harte return to the squad after injury and sickness, while both Stevie Welsh and Stevie Neill are unavailable for selection this weekend. The game is a ‘must win’ for Enniskillen to keep the pressure on Coleraine and Carrick.
Grosvenor has played only one match since mid-November. But that break has given a few of the clubs injured players a chance to recover from injury. There is a real belief Grosvenor can retain its place in the division, particularly with six of their remaining nine games to be played at home.
Captain Stuart Smyth, Dbo Bowden and Sam Purdon have all returned from injury in the forwards, and Grosvenor has a talented backline led by out-half Neil Adams.
Lisburn v Academy
These are tough times for Lisburn Head coach Neil Hinds and his players, they’ve lost their last five games in all competitions with their last win coming at Donaghadee in December.
Six points separate the bottom three teams - Grosvenor, Lisburn and Ballymoney - in Qualifying Two. Academy has already defeated Lisburn at Roughfort 22-7 in November, so it’s certainly a crucial game for ninth-placed Lisburn against opponents three spots better off.
Academy Head coach Gareth Lynn is delighted in the turnaround in his team’s performances since their heavy defeat at Coleraine, defeating Enniskillen and Randalstown and it overturned the defeat by Coleraine by winning 19 - 13 last weekend.
These results have had a big impact in numbers attending training and the coach is aiming for his team to finish in the top four. The effort, application and attitude of the players has been excellent. Captain Chris Cooper once again contributed all his team’s 19 points last week, and scored 17 points in the side’s win over Lisburn when the two teams last met.
The team shows two changes from last weekend with centre Jordan Buchanan unavailable with Kyle Dobbin returning to the starting line-up.
The team is: Chris Nash, Ricky Press and Adam Martin; Richard Henderson and Graham Dobbin; Kyle Dobbin, Clark Cooper and No.8 Keith Dobbin. At half-back are Gavin Braiden and Chris Cooper, Stephen Fawcett partners Andy Eggleton in the centre, Norman Carson and Ben Cave are on the wings with Simon Beattie at full-back.
The coach has set his players and team targets to achieve in each block of fixtures. They are expecting a difficult match at Blaris as the home side battle to overturn their losing run.
Randalstown v Ballymoney
Four defeats in the last four matches have pushed Randalstown down the table, and though the margins of defeat have been narrow that has been the case in this league: small margins deciding the outcome of games.
The last win came against Grosvenor in November, and Head Coach Gary Longwell and his players face another tough game when Ballymoney make the trip to Nelisbrook Park this weekend.
Ballymoney Head coach Jimmy Carson felt his players let slip another win against Donaghadee last wekend losing 18 - 15 at home. He felt his players had enough chances to win the game.
Apart from a re-occurring injury that rules the coach out this weekend Ballymoney will pick from the same squad which played against Donaghadee.
KUKRI QUALIFYING TWO FIXTURES
Coleraine v Larne
Donaghadee v Carrickfergus
Enniskillen v Grosvenor
Lisburn v Academy
Randalstown v Ballymoney
GORDON WEST CUP
BHSFP v UUC
Letterkenny v PSNI
Monaghan v Holywood
Ophir v Strabane
Byes: Limavady, Civil Service, Lurgan, Newry
SECOND XV LEAGUE
Ballynahinch 2nds v Belfast Harlequins 2nds