Competitive club rugby this weekend includes the Ulster Bank All Ireland League and the 1st round of the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE 1A
Cork Constitution v Ballynahinch
In Div 1A Ballynahinch make the long journey to Cork to take on Cork Con who remain winless. With several changes anticipated due to the unavailability of Ulster players Stewart McCloskey and Rhaidri Murphy along with forward Jonny Madden. Coach Derek Suffern will have Ulster under 20 starlet Sam Arnold and the returning Michael Graham available for selection. Injuries continue to rule out Rodger McBurney and Chris Quinn. Two club players, prop Jonny Simpson and wing forward Paul Pritchard have been the outstanding players for Hinch in their two matches to date.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE 1B
Malone v Belfast Harlequins
In Div 1B we have a Belfast derby with Malone hosting Belfast Harlequins at Gibson Park. Malone coach Jacque Benade will face a selection dilemma with seven Ulster under 19/20 players including Dane Fitzpatrick, Ross Todd, Rory Campbell, Michael Cartmill, Josh Bingham and Ciaran Joyce making themselves available for selection. Ulster under 20 star Adam Liddell is ruled out through injury. A win is crucial for the Cregagh Road side if they harbour ambitions of promotion. Quins need to starting picking up league points after two defeats. Coach Adam Larkin will have Ulster under 20 players Angelo Marcia, Josh Fullerton and Caleb Montgomery available for selection along with Ulster prop Ricky Lutton returning from injury. Frankie Taggart along with Ulster number 8 Sean Reidy and Oliver Loughead are expected to start in the back row with Mark McGrath and Evan Strang included. Injuries continue to limit player availability, that includes Rory Scholes, Matthew Rainey, Callum Leckey, Jas Andress, Mark Keyttle, Mark Wylie, Kenny McCombe, and Willy Stewart with Daryl Marshall unavailable. Both wingers Mark Glover and Matthew Holmes have been in good form. Difficult game to call with a large crowd expected to attend.
Ballymena v Dublin University
Ballymena welcome Dublin Uni to Eaton Park. With the students having lost their opening two matches by one score the promotion ambitions of the Braid squad will be tested by a talented and physical team who gave ten debuts in their opening AIL game. Ballymena will have to do without the services of their Ulster trio of Mike McComish, Clive Ross and Ricky Andrews. Outhalf Ritchie McMaster remains out due to injury. Ulster U20 Captain Michael Lagan is expected to start on the bench with forwards Willy McKay and James Gallagher.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE 2A
Queen’s University v Banbridge
We have an intriguing Ulster derby at the Dub where Queens welcome Banbridge. The Bann side secured a vital opening day win with a b/p over Cashel 38 -28. The stars in this win were their threequarters of Adam Doherty, Adam Ervine and Jonny Porter who scored all four tries. Former Bann U19 halfback Aaron Kennedy continues to impress contributing 18 points from seven kicks. This win was based on a solid forward platform. The County Down side will not be overawed by the talent available to student coach Bob Young with eleven players returning from the Ulster U19 and U20 squads. A disappointing loss at Thomond exposed the physicality required to compete at this level in the AIL for several of the students. Captain Ryan Clarke will look to the returning Nigel Simpson and Lorcan Dow along with Daryl Morton to give his side the physical presence to compete with a well organised Bann forward unit. Again this fixture should attract a large crowd with the talent on show by the students.
Seapoint v Rainey
Rainey make the journey to Dublin to play Seapoint. Coach Richard Boyd was delighted with his sides narrow win over the experienced City of Derry side last Sat. With a squad that contained ten players aged under 21 years there are few changes this week with the returning Angus Warwicker replacing the injured Timmy Woods in the back row. Centre Jody McMurray continues to Captain the team. Ulster U19 players Andrew Shaw and Rory Squires returned to training this week. Rainey have been boosted by the news that promising Limavady Grammar School back rower Sam Mackey has joined the progressive Magherfelt club.
City of Derry v Barnhall
City of Derry face a confident NUIM Barnhall side at Judges Road. The Kildare side recorded an emphatic 35 - 8 opening day win over relegated Blackrock College. Both these sides were in the promotion mix last season and expect another fiercely contested match. This is a match the North West side cannot afford to lose. Old Wesley v Dungannon
Dungannon make the the first of two trips down South in consecutive weekends. First up is a difficult assignment at Old Wesley who have strengthened their playing squad as they push for promotion this season. The Tyrone side face a difficult AIL campaign in this league.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE 2B
Armagh v Navan
In Div 2B Armagh will look to build on their impressive 13-7 win at Old Crescent when Navan RFC are the visitors to the Palace grounds. There is strength in depth in the playing squad available to coach Andy Hughes this season. Despite the loss of out half Richard Reaney to Ballynahinch replacement outhalf Andy McGowan has ably filled this key position for the Orchard County side.
Ards v Bruff
This game has been postponed due to the death of a playing member at Bruff.
MILLAR McCALL WYLIE JUNIOR CUP
In the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup Ulster's four representatives in the All Ireland Junior Cup, Clogher Valley, CIYMS, Portadown and Bangor have received a bye.
Lisburn v Ballynahinch 2nds
Current holders Ballynahinch seconds will be expected to progress at the expense of Lisburn when they travel to Blaris. Such is the strength in depth of the playing squad at Ballymacarn, seconds coaches Chris Parker and Neil Hinds will be able to field a strong side captained by the experienced James McBriar. Lisburn coach Mark Crothers has assembled an exciting young squad that will not be undaunted by the visit of the Cup holders.
Academy v Instonians
Academy host undefeated Instonians at Roughfort. There can be only one winner with the ease the Shaws bridge side have been sweeping aside their opponents this season.
Ards 2nds v Carrickfergus
Ards 2nds welcome a confident Carrickfergus 1st XV who surprised Coleraine 9-6 at Sandel Lodge in their opening league game in Q2. Head coach Warren McClean along with assistant coaches Jonny Cullen and Neil Hanna are developing a squad that could be surprise contenders for league and Cup honours this season. Definetely one team to watch.
Armagh 2nds v Ballyclare
Armagh 2nds welcome Junior Cup finalists Ballyclare who have ambitions to revisit the Kingspan stadium again this season. Armagh have strength in depth and could pose problems at the Palace grounds for the County Antrim side. Ballyclare are expected to field the same side who were trounced 43-13 by CIYMS at Belmont last Sat. Expect a reaction from Chris Campbell's side.
Banbridge 2nds v UUC
Banbridge 2nds like a number of the Senior clubs have expanded their playing squads this season. With home advantage Bann would be expected to progress at the expense of student side UUC.
Belfast Harlequins 2nds v Rainey 2nds
Belfast Harlequins 2nds entertain Rainey OB seconds at Deramore Park. This match should tell us a lot about the respective playing strengths in both clubs.
City of Derry 2nds v Cooke
City of Derry 2nds welcome a Cooke side boosted by a 36 -26 win over Donaghadee last Sat. Expect a Cooke side under the guidance of player coach Colin Atkinson to progress to the second round.
Coleraine v Ballymena 2nds
Coleraine have the experience in their playing squad to defeat Ballymena 2nds at Sandel Lodge. Expect another vociferous crowd to get behind the home side in this much anticipated cup tie. Ballymena have strength in depth and would be expected to progress to the second round.
Donaghadee v Holywood
There is a North Down derby at Donaldson Park where home side Donaghadee welcome neighbours Holywood. With the return of player coach Paul McKenzie and Captain Nigel Barker to add experience to the Dee backline along with the robust Paul Hamilton at No 8 the Towns Cup finalists would be expected to progress at the expense of Laurence Kelly's Kerr Park team. Holywood Captain Rory Eves is a player who can lead an upset.
Dromore v Randalstown
Dromore are strengthened by new second row Robert Greer from Ballynahinch. He will form a new second row partnership with the returning Gareth Fitzpatrick. In the absence of the injured Lee Steenson, Chris Jenks and Ryan Cobb with continue their partnership at 9 and 10. Randalstown have been decimated by injuries following their hard earned 23-8 win over Enniskillen last Saturday.
Malone 2nds v Enniskillen
Malone 2nds remain undefeated this season and will present a stern challenge for the ambitions of Enniskillen 1st XV at Gibson Park on Saturday.
Omagh v Ballymoney
In the final game the inform Omagh side host struggling Ballymoney at Mellon Park. With two impressive league wins over Holywood and Grosvenor, coach Phil Marshall makes a number of changes with Mark Millar replacing Jamie Sproule in the second row. Dean Porter returns to the back row in place of Andrew Ferguson and Yonga Taleni replaces Alan Heaney in the centre. Despite a disappointing start to the season, Ballymoney coach Jason Taggart is capable of upsetting the form book and plotting the downfall of this Omagh team.
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 3
Limavady v Newry
Lurgan v Ophir
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 4
BHSFP v Letterkenny