ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 1A
Ballynahinch (6th) v UCD (5th)
It is a must win game for Ballynahinch at home to the Dublin students on Saturday if they are to maintain their push for a top four finish. With a lengthening injury list, coaches Derek Suffern and Charlie McAleese will look to their Ulster contingent to keep them in the hunt. When the teams met in the corresponding fixture UCD won 31-24 in an entertaining affair.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 1B
Buccaneers (5th) v Belfast Harlequins (6th)
Quins make the trip to Athlone to play Buccaneers, having lost the home fixture 7-20 earlier in the season. With the presence of Ulster players Michael Heaney, Neil McComb, Sean Reidy and Frankie Taggart in their squad, the team will travel with the confidence this weekend. Coach Adam Larkin has an almost full strength playing squad available to select from.
Malone (9th) v Ballymena (4th)
Have Ballymena missed out on finishing in the top two following their defeat at home to league pace setters Galwegians last Saturday? Ulster players Dave Shanahan and Dave Ryan have been released by Ulster for this match with Malone at Gibson Park, while the availability of John Andrews, Andrew Warwick and Mike McComish will be dependent on their game time with Ulster against the Scarlets. Ireland U20 commitments rule out Michael Lagan and Adam McBurney.
Malone coach Jacques Benade will be hoping several of his injured players are available for selection this weekend. Ulster players Conor Joyce and Paul Jackson have been released and they may also have prop Bronson Ross for the game. This will be the fourth meeting between the two teams this season, with all previous meeting coming at Eaton Park. Malone won the previous UBL (7-13) and Senior Cup matches (13-17) but Ballymena ran out convincing 52-26 winners in the Senior League meeting two weeks ago, scoring eight tries in the process.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 2A
City of Derry (12th) v Queen’s University (5th)
City of Derry welcome the Belfast students of Queen’s to Judges Road. Head coach Terry McMaster has seen his team win four out of five matches since his appointment with the only defeat a 19-17 loss at promotion chasing Skerries. There are a number of changes to their team with Stephen Ferguson returning at number 8 to partner Stephen Corr and Adam Bratton in the back row, with Mark Walker dropping down to the bench. The front five is the same as last week with hooker David Ferguson getting over a slight knock. Centre Chris Barber returns to the side after a lengthy spell on the sidelines, with Josh Lewis moving to the wing and Tiernan Thorton dropping to the bench. Once again Derry will look to their dynamic half back pairing of Andrew Semple and Richard McCarter to control the game.
Queen’s coach Bob Young will be missing his five Ireland U20 squad players. Injuries rule out their entire back row of Josh Atkinson, Stuart Hooks and Matty Clarke. Backs Conor Shiels, Eoin Devlin and Conor McKee are all carrying knocks and outhalf Ali Wright is following concussion protocols.
Rainey OB (13th) v Banbridge (4th)
Rainey OB face in-form Ulster opponents Banbridge at Hatrick Park in a must win game if they are to retain their third tier status. Banbridge are serious contenders to finish in second place and secure promotion. Coach Daniel Soper retains the playing squad that recorded an emphatic win over Seapoint last Saturday. Rainey coach Richard Boyd remains without several of his experienced players, including forwards Tim Barker, Michael Shiels, Paddy McGowan and Conor Simpson. Backs Jack Fleming, Michael Pyper and Damien McMurray. Last Saturday his squad included twelve players under 21 years. They have lost their last three UBL matches, with only one win from their last eight games in all competitions. Banbridge have to be favourites to win this match.
Skerries (3rd) v Dungannon (16th)
Dungannon face another daunting trip away to play promotion chasing Skerries. Ross McCaughey is unavailable with James McMahon and Steven Sinnamon expected to return.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 2B
Armagh (3rd) v Bruff (7th)
Armagh remain on course to finish in the top four. They have won seven of their last ten matches in all competitions. Two hard earned UBL wins at DLSP and Boyne in recent weeks will ensure that Coach Andy Hughes and his team are ready for the battle with Munster side Bruff at the Palace Grounds on Saturday. In their last UBL home match, Armagh lost 13 -11 to Sunday's Well. Their goal is to win all four remaining league matches. Armagh have the best away record of any Ulster side in the UBL this season, winning five games on the road.
Ards (16th) v Richmond (15th)
Winless Ards are hoping to break their duck in the UBL with a win at home to second bottom Richmond at Hamilton Park. The team performed well in Limerick last weekend before losing 17-5 to Old Crescent. Their Director of Rugby Stephen Nutt believes the team can get that all important first win this weekend.
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 1
Ballymoney (10th) v Ballyclare (4th)
Their defeat at Cooke last Saturday has more or less consigned Ballymoney to relegation to Qualifying League 2 next season with three matches remaining. They are seven points behind second bottom Donaghadee and 14 points behind third bottom CIYMS. For Ballyclare, a run of league defeats ended last Saturday with an emphatic win over leaders Instonians. Along with Dromore and Portadown they are all on 32 points as they contest that all important fourth place and qualification for AIL Junior Cup. They keep the same squad for the trip to Ballymoney with Ulster Junior Niall Lawther and Dave Clarke added. When the two sides met at the Cloughan earlier this season, Ballyclare ran out comfortable 37-7 winners.
CIYMS (8th) v Portadown (6th)
These are two teams who were expected to be challenging for the league title this season. Both coaches -Gareth Fry and Richard Hedley - know their playing squads have not fulfilled their potential in the league. CIYMS reached the semi finals of the AIL Junior Cup, only to lose in a replay. Their ambition is to compete in the competition again next season but unfortunately results have not favoured them. Portadown returned to winning ways after defeating Dromore last Saturday. Coach Richard Hedley is hoping his side can kick on and finish in fourth place. When these two sides met at Chambers Park Portadown won 34-15. A lot at stake for both teams in this match.
Clogher Valley (2th) v Cooke (7th)
Clogher Valley hung on to win 23-20 at Dromore on Wednesday night to close the gap on leaders Instonians to just five points. In number 8 David Sharkey they have an inspirational player and leader. Outhalf Paul Armstrong gave a immaculate display of goal kicking in difficult conditions to convert five kicks that gave his team that all important win against a determined Dromore side. Glen Kyle and Davy Black have been forced to make changes for the visit of Cooke to the Cran, with njuries and unavailabilities will ruling out the Wilson brothers BJ and Ryan, Matty Robinson, David Dunlop, Jonny Clarke, Phil Moore, Nathan Orr, Aaron Best and Philip Holme. Allister Trenier returns to the team, while Mark McKenna will make his debut in the second row.
Cooke coach Colin Atkinson has a full squad available for this game. Several weeks ago his team were looking to avoid relegation, now they are only four points off fourth place and a place in the AIL Junior Cup next season. The coach has been pleased by the progress of former Wellington College players Gareth Robinson and Andrew Hanna this season as a half back combination. Flying winger Andrew Pollock scored another two tries last Saturday in the win over Ballymoney. Alex Gourley is added to the squad for this weekend. When these two sides met at Shaw’ Bridge, Clogher were narrow 12-19 victors. Could we see a possible upset at the Cran this weekend?
Dromore (5th) v Bangor (3rd)
Two defeats in five days against Portadown and Clogher Valley have seriously dented the ambitions of this Dromore squad. They still have two games in hand on fourth place Ballyclare as they face five difficult fixtures over the next three weeks. In half back Lee Steenson they have an outstanding player who almost inspired his team to a win over Clogher Valley during the week. Bangor have ambitions to chase down Clogher Valley and finish in second place. They owe Dromore after they defeated the Seasiders 15-22 at Upritchard Park. After their impressive 5-25 win at Donaghadee last Saturday, Bangor know two away matches at Dromore and Clogher Valley on Tuesday night will determine whether they can achieve their goal.
Instonians (1st) v Donaghadee (9th)
Defeats against Ballyclare and Queen’s 2nds in recent weeks will question the resolve of the Inst squad to hold their nerve with four matches remaining in the league. Coach William Leacock will welcome back influential captain Alan Whitten and fellow prop Harry Martin for this crucial match against relegation threatened Donaghadee. The coach acknowledges he will learn a lot about his young players in the coming weeks as they challenge for league honours. Dee Player/Coach Paul McKenzie was disappointed with his team’s performance in their loss to Bangor. Injuries have ruled out Billy Allen and Max Montgomery for the rest of the season, with Richard Martindale and Andrew Findlater both unavailable this weekend. Mark Cooper and Chris Wood come into the backline with Paul Hamilton and Jack Cooke added to the forwards. It’s a must win game for ‘Dee as they look to avoid relegation.
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 2
Academy (3rd) v Lisburn (8th)
Coleraine (4th) v Grosvenor (7th)
Enniskillen (6th) v Carrickfergus (2nd)
UUC (10th) v Randalstown (5th)
Omagh (1st) v Holywood (9th)
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 3
Lurgan (3rd) v PSNI (5th)
Ophir (6th) v Limavady (1st)
Strabane (7th) v Larne (2nd)
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 4
BHSFP (1st) v Virginia (5th)
Londonderry YMCA (7th) v Cavan (6th)
Monaghan (3rd) v Civil Service (2nd)