Club Rugby Preview - 02 Mar 2019

Preview of this weekend's club rugby action in the All Ireland League and Kukri Ulster Rugby Championship... ALL IRELAND LEAGUE DIV 1A Dublin University (4) v Terenure College (10) Garryowen (5) v Cork Constitution (1) Lansdowne (20 v Young Munster (9) UCC (8) v Shannon (7) UCD (6) v Clontarf (3) DIV 1B Ballynahinch (4) v Naas (3) City of Armagh (7) v Ballymena (10) Malone (2) v Buccaneers (9) Old Wesley (10 v Banbridge (5) St Mary’s College (8) v Old Belvedere (6) Ballynahinch v Naas Ballynahinch coach Tom Rock: Consistency in selection has enabled the coaches to pick a settled side this year. This has been reflected by the performances of the team. With five rounds remaining in the AIL - is there a team out there who can string a winning run together. With the results each week it makes the current league very exciting. The team face a big challenge against a very good Naas team this week. The coaches were delighted with the win at Banbridge. The team were able to back up their win at Ballymacarn over Banbridge with a win at Rifle Park to complete the double over their neighbours this season. It was a case of two good sides playing each other last Saturday with the defensive effort of the Ballynahinch team securing the win. This is a area Ballynahinch have been working hard on since round 5 after conceding points. The next two games against Naas and Buccaneers are crucial to the promotion ambitions of this Ballynahinch team. Last season the team were leading the league and slipped up in their final two games. This is something the coaches and players have spoken about to avoid a repeat this season in learning to close out games. Second row James Simpson is unavailable this week with back row Ollie Loughead remaining on the injured list. Centre Rory Butler has made a big impact since returning from injury. Ulster Academy prospect Bradley Luney came off the bench at Banbridge and put in a strong performance. He will be considered in the second row to replace James Simpson with Tom Martin an option to come into the squad. Naas are a good side with experienced former professional players in their team. They have key players who allow them to play nice rugby  and move the ball wide. Ballynahinch went down at the beginning of the season and lost. It is all about the team putting in a performance this week at home. Another defensive performance will be needed as the team demonstrated in defending their own line at Banbridge in showing considerable guts and desire to keep Banbridge out. The teams defensive efforts have formed the foundation for the teams recent improved performances. Ulster releases: Zack McCall and Jack Regan with Johnny McPhillips TBC. Injury rules out Aaron Hall with Iwan Hughes on sevens Duty. Naas won home fixture 27 -14 in Round 5 on 3.11.18 City of Armagh v Ballymena City of Armagh coach Chris Parker: Injuries and unavailability denied City of Armagh of several of their experienced front row players at Old Belvedere last Saturday. It meant Paul Mullen, Jack Sleator and John Clarke starting with Simon Carlile and Matthew Nelson (Lisburn RFC) providing front row cover from the bench. Injuries rule out Andrew Willis, Jonny Morton, Ryan O’Neill, Ryan Purvis, Harry Boyd and Gareth McNiece this week. Oisin Kiernan who was unavailable last week along with Eoin O’Hagan and hooker Andrew Smyth all return this week.  Prop Philip Fletcher was in cast but has been cleared to play. He will come into contention for selection this week along with Robert Whitten.  Daryl Morton who has been out for several weeks has trained this week and will be available for the 1st or 2nd xv this week. Further injuries were picked up by Ryan Morton and Stuart Lester playing for the second xv in their Towns Cup win over Dromore. Ryan Morton fractured his wrist and will be ruled out for the remainder of the season. The coaches are considering changes on the bench this week. The Belvedere game was not good to view on the video. The City of Armagh team were blown away at the start to allow Belvedere to score two early tries. Ball retention was good with the team making good decisions . Silly errors were disappointing . The players realise they have to get back to the standards they have set to look after the ball. The challenge in Div 1B is to remain one step ahead of your opponents. Opposition teams analyse how teams play week to week. This season has been a step up for the Armagh players. Their game management has been naïve at times. The challenge for the coaches is to evolve and change week to week. The Ballymena game is another Ulster derby. Form goes out the window. The City of Armagh coaches are expecting an extremely difficult game against Ballymena at the Palace Grounds. They will fight to the end. The key for the Armagh players is to focus on themselves . Both sides know each other very well having played three fixtures against each other this season. Saturday is all about managing the game and the players taking their opportunities. With two home games coming up against Ballymena and St Mary’s College these home games are vital to the ambitions of the City of Armagh team. Every game is difficult with the players having to make sure home advantage counts. Ballymena Head coach Andy Graham: The team started not too badly against league leaders Old Wesley last week. Their cause was not helped with second row David Whann having to leave the pitch early with an eye injury he picked up in the Senior Cup Final against City of Armagh to be replaced by Jonny Browne. Problem for the Ballymena team was they started well but could not sustain their performance for 80 mins with errors compounding their performance. With so many players missing it has been a case of getting on with it. 18 year old Youth player Phil Campbell made his debut at number 8 on Sat and is viewed as a player for the future. He is likely to retain his place in the squad this week. Rodger McBurney remains on the injured list along with winger Johnny McMullan. Mark Foster is expected to be out for several weeks following return to play protocols. Dean Reynolds picked up an ankle injury and is a major doubt. Number 8 Stephen Mulholland is another doubt with his fitness to be confirmed on Thursday night. Out half Bruce Houston is ruled out with concussion and will follow return to play protocols. The fitness of JJ McKee will be confirmed on Thursday night. Second row Connor Smyth played with a virus last week and will undergo a fitness test on Thursday night. The Ballymena backline is expected to see Timmy Small move to out half with Matthew Norris wearing the 15 jersey. Winger Jordan Foster is available. It will be a case of either Glenn Baillie/Darrell Montgomery partnering Paddy James in the centre with one on the wing. The pack is expected to be see the same front row from last Saturday with hopefully JJ McKee partnering Connor Smyth in the second row. Marcus Rea, Jack Bolger, Stephen Mulholland, Phil Campbell will compete for the back row. Ballymena have lost their last four AIL games and will be targeting the Ulster derbies coming up against City of Armagh and Banbridge to pick up vital league points. City of Armagh won away fixture 22 – 13 in Round 5 on 3.11.18 Malone v Buccaneers Malone Head coach Paddy Armstrong: His team were disappointed to lose in the last play of the game last week against Naas. It shows how fine margins make all the difference. He is looking his team to put in a big performance this week against Buccaneers. He is still waiting on final Ulster releases and their status. He is hoping to have Joe Dunleavy who has been excellent this season for the team. This weekend the coach and his players are expecting a very tough game against a very good Buccaneers side who have put in some very good performances of late. Once again the coach is expecting another tight game between these two teams. Ulster releases: Jack Owens, Joe Dunleavy and Graham Curtis with Ross Kane TBC. Injury rules out Stewart Moore, Matty Agnew, Matty Dalton and Adam McBurney Malone won away fixture 24 – 23 in Round 5 on 3.11.18 Old Wesley v Banbridge Banbridge Head coach Simon McKinstry: Disappointed his team did not win their match against Ballynahinch. He was frustrated his players butchered a couple of opportunities and had a try disallowed when Adam Ervine was denied a score. Winger Hugo Harbinson broke his hand and will be ruled out for the remainder of the season. Out half Josh Cromie is a major doubt after picking up an ankle injury. He will face a late fitness test on Thursday night. Second row Alex Thompson will play his final game this week for Banbridge before heading to NZ. Second row Chris Allen returns to the squad this week. Old Wesley is a difficult place to play. Banbridge have won their before. The coach believes they can do it again. Ulster releases: Caleb Montgomery, Greg Jones and David McCann with Jonny Stewart TBC. Connacht release: Jonny Murphy TBC. Banbridge lost home fixture 15 – 8 in Round 5 on 3.11.18 DIV 2A Nenagh Ormond (8) v Cashel RFC (2) Played Friday 1.3.19. KO 8PM Blackrock College (90 v Queens University (4) Galwegians (10) v Dolphin (7) Highfield (1) v Old Crescent (5) UL Bohemians (6) v Navan RFC (3) Blackrock College v Queens University Queens University have secured 15/15 points from three home matches. They are now on the road to Dublin to play Blackrock College this week. Every point is vital as the team target a top four finish. Queens University coach D J Creighton: Queens are expected to retain the same squad that defeated UL Bohemians last week. Queens University won home fixture 18 – 12 in Round 5 on the 3.11.18 DIV 2B Belfast Harlequins (9) v Wanderers (6) Dungannon (8) v Galway Corinthians (5) Skerries (7) v Rainey OB (3) Sligo (4) v Greystones (2) Sunday’s Wells (10) v MU Barnhall (1) Belfast Harlequins v Wanderers Belfast Harlequins 1st xv Manager Neale Wilson: The team is to be finalised on Thursday night with hooker Rory Winters unavailable this week. Belfast Harlequins won away fixture 25 – 24 in Round 5 on the 3.11.18 Dungannon v Galway Corinthians Dungannon Head coach Andy Hughes: The effort was definitely there from the players at league leaders MU Barnhall on Saturday. The players had to front up and they did that for the first 30 mins to get amongst the Barnhall players to lead 10 – 7 at halftime with the team unlucky not to snatch a draw at the end. The coach has a few bumps and bruises amongst his players from a physical game last Saturday. He is looking his players to back up their performance against Galway Corinthians at Stevenson Park on Saturday. They are a good side who like to throw the ball about. Both Jamie McNeill and Andrew Weir are unavailable this week with Malcolm Allister and Mark Faloon expected to return to the squad. Malcolm Allister is expected to start at hooker with Daniel Maxwell dropping down to the bench. Second row Alex Gormley is carrying a shoulder injury and will undergo a fitness test on Thursday night. Ross Stewart and James Gamble are expected to retain their place in front row with Glenn Sinnamon providing front row cover with the scrums going well against Barnhall.  Sean O’Hagan will play for the 2nd xv to get game time. The coach will not have Ross Stewart next season as he is heading to University in England. The coach is also pleased to welcome back Lewis McCrabbe, Jordan McIIwaine and Jonny Toal who will play for the seconds along with Peter Doran who all need game time. Conor McGeough has informed the club he will be extending his stay at Dungannon to next season. Welcome news for the coach as he looks to strengthen his playing squad. Conor Milnes will provide scrum half cover from the bench. Andrew McPhillips is another two weeks away from being able to play. For Andy Hughes it is all about the players not dropping off their performances after playing the top four sides with every point vital in the remaining games with other teams picking up points. The next couple of weeks are massive for the club. He is pleased the squad don’t have any dead rubbers to play that will focus the players with so much riding on the remaining games. Dungannon lost away fixture 36 – 12 in Round 5 on the 3.11.18 Skerries v Rainey OB Rainey Head coach John Andrews: After the home defeat against Sligo this Rainey team find themselves struggling to finish in the top four and make the playoffs. Six points separate Rainey OB, Sligo, Galway Corinthians and Wanderers with five games remaining. Injuries and unavailability have necessitated the coach to bring in dual status players. With further unavailability this week the coach has called up second xv players Daniel O’Neill, Cameron Stewart and Aaron Doherty. Concussion injuries rule out Matthew Millar and Andrew Donaghy with both players following return to play protocols. Timmy Woods has returned to Ballymoney with the coach welcoming back returning full back Michael O’Neill. Rainey won home fixture 37 – 30 in Round 5 on the 3.11.18. DIV 2C Bangor (6) v Tullamore (7) Malahide (5) v Midleton (2) Omagh (4) v City of Derry (8) Seapoint (10) v Bruff (3) Thomond (9) v Ballina (1) Bangor v Tullamore Bangor Head coach Michael Ferguson: The coach is expecting to make a few changes this week as he welcomes backs Oscar Yandell, Ally Lockhart and Adam Alexander to his squad. He felt the team put in a much better performance with the side unlucky not to come away with a point at least as they were very much in the game at Bruff. Tullamore had a good result at the weekend and his players are aware of their strengths. Michael Ferguson is looking a big performance to get his side back on track as a team. With the coach waiting on a couple of fitness tests the team will not be finalised until Thursday night. Bangor lost the away fixture 27 – 0 in Round 5 on the 3.11.18 Omagh v City of Derry Omagh Head coach Phil Marshall: Richard Hemphill and Richard Smyth are added to the Omagh injury list with seven players unavailable. Second xv front row players Ethan McKeown and Mark Hopton Brown are added to the squad. Both Captain Stewart McCain and Ali Beckett missed the defeat at Tullamore and return to the squad this week. Omagh won away fixture 19 - 10 in Round 5 on the 3.11.18 KUKRI ULSTER RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP DIV 1 Ballyclare (2) v Instonians (1) CIYMS (8) v Enniskillen (9) Cooke (5) v Carrickfergus (7) Grosvenor (4) v Coleraine (10) Portadown (6) v Dromore (3) Ballyclare v Instonians Ballyclare Head coach Mike McKeever: A match against Instonians is a big game for all clubs at any stage of the season. That alone is enough to give the players a focus and challenge. Essentially it will be the same squad with Gary Clotworthy returning. Captain Grant Bartley is unavailable. The same pack that started against Randalstown  will play on Saturday. The backline will be confirmed at training on Thursday night. Joel McBride will Captain the side in the absence of Grant Bartley. He has Captained the team in the Towns Cup wins over Ballynahinch and Randalstown and has shown a great maturity and understanding of the game. Instonians Head coach John Andress: The Head coach was frustrated by the Red Card shown to Andrew Keane against Grosvenor last Saturday that will force him to miss this vital league game against Ballyclare. Paddy Bell remains on the injured list and is targeting the playoffs if Instonians win the league. Wayne Kelly who picked up an injury in the league match against Portadown is expected to be available again next week. Michael Melville had surgery for an injury and is expected to miss the remainder of the season. Centre Matthew Kilpatrick is the only doubt after picking up a hamstring injury in the league match against Grosvenor. He will undergo a fitness test on Thursday night. The coach welcomes back forwards Lewis McNamara, Mark Mairs, Massimo Kiri Kiri, Alan Whitten and Tom Matthews to the squad this week. There will be several difficult calls to be made in the forwards with NZ back row Cameron Barr starting at 7. The backline is expected to be on similar lines if Matthew Kilpatrick comes through his fitness test. The coach is off the view that whatever side wins the match on Saturday deserves to go on and win the league. His players know what they are up against. Ballyclare are a very dangerous team. If you make mistakes they will punish you with the counter attacking game they possess in their backline. The Instonians team are under no illusions about the task they have ahead of them at Ballyclare. Instonians won the home fixture 24 – 22 at Shawsbridge on the 1.12.18 CIYMS v Enniskillen CIYMS Head coach Gareth Fry: The coach has lost skipper Mark McConkey who requires surgery on a shoulder dislocation. Second row Paddy Agnew is ruled out for the season with the coach awaiting fitness tests on a number of front row players. Saturday is a massive game for both teams with a lot at stake. He is hoping like the last couple of league games the players can step up again. Enniskillen are a well organised and strong side with his players expecting a tough physical battle. Enniskillen Head coach Stevie Welsh: The coach is not expecting to make any changes to the side that defeated Ballymena seconds in the Towns Cup last Saturday. Has a few players with issued who will be fitness tested on Thursday night before team is finalised. Enniskillen won the home fixture at Mullaghmeen 27 – 18 on the 1.12.18 Cooke v Carrickfergus Cooke Head coach Colin Atkinson: The coach is still operating with a very depleted squad  due to injuries. Selection to be finalised on Thursday night. Back row forward Callum Robinson will make a welcome return. Carrickfergus Head coach Warren McClean: The coach is expecting to go with the same team that lost 14 – 10 away to Dromore last week. He is looking his players to put in a strong finish to their season. Cooke won the away fixture 24 – 13 at the Tom Simms Memorial Grounds on the 1.12.18 Grosvenor v Coleraine Grosvenor Head coach Robert Ford: Captain Andrew Kelly and back row forward Sam Purdon remain unavailable due to injury. The returning David Egner scored a hat trick of tries for the seconds on Saturday and will come into contention for a place on the bench this week Grosvenor won the away fixture 29 – 0 at Rugby Avenue on the 1.12.18 Portadown v Dromore Dromore Head coach Jonny Cullen: Prop forward Mark Hylands will undergo a late fitness test on Thursday night. If he is not fir Rory Pepper will replace him. Otherwise the team will remain unchanged. Dromore won the home fixture at Barban Hill 20 – 3 on the 1 .12.18 ULSTER PREMIERSHIP 2ND XV LEAGUE Ballymena seconds (4) v City of Armagh seconds (1) Banbridge seconds (6) v Ballynahinch seconds (2) Omagh seconds (3) v Malone seconds (5) KUKRI ULSTER RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP DIV 2 Academy (1) v Limavady (2) Ards (6) v Lurgan (7) Larne (8) v Clogher Valley (3) Lisburn (9) v Ballymoney (5) Randalstown (4) v UUC (10) Academy v Limavady Academy Head coach Gareth Lynn: The coach has a few decisions to make before finalising his selection for Saturday. Both Keith Dobbin and Kyle Gregg remain on the injured list. Limavady Head coach Graeme Eastwood: With five back to back games coming up against Academy, Randalstown, Ballymoney, Larne and Clogher Valley the coach will be missing a number of players for this weekends top of the table clash with Academy. Darren Corrigan, Robert Lamberton, Jodie McMurray and Gavin Martin are unavailable. Injury rules out Jonny Lees, Clive Scott and Matthew Haslett. He knows his players will have to do it the hard way. It is not an ideal situation to be missing these experienced players. 35 players were at training on Tuesday night with the coach very positive with the players he will be taking to Academy. They have trained hard and are very focused. His players know it will be a test. It is all about them going with a belief and playing to their structures. If they keep their discipline and secure their set piece they can get a win. Games against Ballynahinch seconds and Clogher Valley in the Junior Cup and Towns Cup were all about blooding young players for these matches. The squad have worked hard to get to this point in their season. Saturday is all about playing in the right areas and managing the game. The players know if they get it right they can win. They are expecting a physical test . Graeme Eastwood believes the league is still in their hands . The squad have proved how competitive they have been in their 13 games. Peter Wilson has been a key player and along with the physical presence of Jamie ‘Mo’ Millar in the centre pose an attacking threat. 18 year old Ben Riley in his first year out of school has been ever present in the forwards. Despite missing a lot of experience . The coach is convinced his team can perform this weekend. Saturday is a chance to get a result. Both the players and the coaches are looking forward to the match. He knows Academy will be strong up front. It is all about his team competing for the first 50/60 minutes to get a result. Academy won the away fixture at the John Hunter Memorial Fields 8 – 5 on the 13.10.18 Ards v Lurgan Ards Head coach John West: Lurgan have picked up in their last few games. The coach has got a few players back from niggling injuries with selection to be finalised on Thursday night. Lurgan coach Jason Wallace: Both Graham Currie and Sam Longstaff will be unavailable for the game at Ards on Saturday. Otherwise the team will similar to the side that defeated Larne at Pollack Park. Ards won the away fixture at Pollack Park 6 – 3 on the 13.10.18 Larne v Clogher Valley David Sharkey Clogher Valley: Coaches Stevie Bothwell and PC Faulkner keep the same side that defeated Portadown last Saturday in the Towns Cup. Clogher Valley won the home fixture at the Cran 29 – 8 0n the 13.10.18 Lisburn v Ballymoney Lisburn Director of Rugby Mike Knowles: Injury rules out Jake Bebbington with Epi Ratu unavailable. Selection to be finalised on Thursday night. Ballymoney won the home fixture at Kilraughts Road 50 – 5 on the 6.10.18 Randalstown v UUC Randalstown 1st xv Manager Willie Allen: He is expecting some changes to the team that lost to Ballyclare in the Towns Cup. Both Peter Knowles and Kyle Hetherington picked up injuries at Ballyclare. Peter Knowles picked up a knee injury that will almost certainly rule him out. No update is available on Kyle Hetherington. Selection will not be finalised until training on Thursday night. UUC coach Jonny Wright: Captain Dan Morgan awaits a fitness test on Thursday night before selection is finalised. Randalstown won the away fixture 24 – 0 on the 13.10.18 KUKRI ULSTER RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP DIV 3 Cavan (11) v Ophir (12) Civil Service (9) v Strabane (8) Donaghadee (1) v Letterkenny (5) Holywood (3) v Virginia (7) Monaghan (2) v Newry (6) PSNI (4) v BHSFP (10) Preview compiled by George Millar