Ballynahinch (6th) v Cork Constitution (4th)
Ulster Bank League Season's Form - Ballynahinch: LWLWWLDLWWL; Cork Constitution: LLWWLDWDWWW
Ulster Bank League Top Scorers - Ballynahinch Points: Chris Quinn 47; Tries: Ross Adair 5; Cork Constitution: Points: Darragh Lyons 49; Tries: Rob Jermyn 3
Cork Constitution certainly have the wind in their sails at present. Last Saturday they made it six games unbeaten with an eye-catching win away to former league leaders Terenure. Half-backs Gerry Hurley and Tomas Quinlan scored the decisive tries, and while Con head coach Tom Tierney praised the pair he also said: "Defence wins games in Dublin and that's exactly what did it for us." They will need plenty of defensive grit to unsettle a Ballynahinch side who can be formidable opposition at home. Derek Suffern's men picked up a losing bonus point in Cork in September, and should gain four at their Co. Down fortress.
Recent League Meetings - Saturday 29th March 2014: Cork Contitution 8 Ballynahinch 35, Temple Hill; Saturday 27th September 2014: Cork Constitution 23 Ballynahinch 16, Temple Hill
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 1B
Ballymena v Dublin University
Ulster Bank League Season's Form - Dublin University: LLLWWWDWWWW; Ballymena: WWWWWLLWWDW
Ulster Bank League Top Scorers - Dublin University: Points: Jack McDermott 91; Tries: Conor Kearns 5; Ballymena: Points: Tim Small 54; Tries: Tim Small, Sean Taylor 5 each
A crunch clash for two sides who are right in the mix for promotion to the Ulster Bank League's top flight. Although more experienced, Ballymena will be way of a Trinity side that is enjoying the fruits of an eight-match unbeaten run. Ballymena are the division's top scorers at present, with last week's try scorers Stephen Mulholland (four tries) and Jordan Foster (three tries) both hitting good form. Trinity have been very impressive since their return to College Park in October, but Andy Graham's Braidmen, like September's 24-12 victory, may just have too much firepower for them.
Recent League Meetings - Saturday 16th February 2013: Ballymena 5 Dublin University 42, Eaton Park; Saturday 27th September 2014: Ballymena 24 Dublin University 12, Eaton Park
Belfast Harlequins (10th) v Malone (6th)
Ulster Bank League Season's Form - Belfast Harlequins: LLWLWLLLLWL; Malone: WLLLWWLLLLW
Ulster Bank League Top Scorers - Belfast Harlequins: Points: Eamon Lane 46; Tries: David McMaster 5; Malone: Points: Josh Pentland 72; Tries: Rory Campbell 4
This could be a season-defining game for both sides. Belfast Harlequins may be bottom, but sixth-placed Malone are just five points better off than them. It is very tight at both ends of Division 1B. Add in the fact that September's encounter at Gibson Park went right down to the wire with 'Quins edging it 20-19, and you have the makings of a classic local derby. Two Paul Jackson tries helped Malone begin the New Year with a 27-11 victory over Corinthians. Another four-point return is likely if they can keep hosts' Ulster backs Rory Scholes and Michael Heaney quiet.
Recent League Meetings - Saturday 15th March 2014: Belfast Harlequins 14 Malone 25, Deramore Park; Saturday 27th September 2014: Malone 19 Belfast Harlequins 20, Gibson Park
ULSTER SENIOR LEAGUE
Ards v Rainey
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 1
Ballymoney v Portadown
There is a lot at stake for both teams. Ballymoney coach Jason Taggart knows his side need points to avoid relegation from Qualifying League 1. They will have been disappointed to lose their Powerade Towns Cup match at neighbours Coleraine (11-3) last Saturday. Portadown coach Richard Hedley is looking to build on his team’s 41-17 win over Limavady as they target an extended Towns Cup run. Back row forward Dairmuid O'Kane is ruled out through injury and is replaced by the experienced Gary Hall. Captain Jonny Holden returns to take his place in the centre, with Jonny McClure making his debut on the wing. When the teams met in the corresponding fixture at Chambers Park in September, Portadown ran out 43-10 winners.
CIYMS v Cooke
These are nervous times at Belmont Road. Despite an impressive run in the All Ireland Junior Cup the East Belfast side have struggled in the league. They are in 7th place, just one point and one position ahead of Cooke. Hooker Stuart Ferguson is on the injury list and there is a doubt over winger Harry Howard. Coach Gareth Fry has some difficult selections to make ahead of a must win game, if they are to maintain their pursuit of a top four finish. He has assembled a young squad, with the players experiencing the highs and lows of competitive club rugby. Both Sam Baker and Matty Armstrong are available again for selection after picking up injuries against Dundalk. The experienced Ross Hackney, along with captain Gavin Woods, have key roles to play in negotiating the side through these difficult weeks.
Cooke player coach Colin Atkinson was delighted with the performance of his team in defeating Dromore 23-10 after Christmas. Winger Andy Pollack returned from injury to score two tries with scrumhalf Gareth Robinson adding a third and outhalf Davy Elliott kicking eight points. Experienced second row Graham Jewhurst has returned to strengthen the pack and fullback Philip Cartmill is likely to be named on the the bench for his first outing of the season. CIYMS were comfortable winners when the two sides met at Shaw’s Bridge in September, winning 24-6. It should be much closer this time out.
Donaghadee v Clogher Valley
Player coach Paul McKenzie has eight games left to keep his side in Q1. His task does not get any easier with the current league champions Clogher Valley visiting Donaldson Park on Saturday. He has had to make four changes from the side that defeated CIYMS after Christmas. Forwards Jack Cooke and Matthew Stockton are replaced by Richard Martindale and the returning Chris Hamilton, while Andrew Findlater and Ryan Irvine replace Chris Woods and Adam Alexander in the backs.
Clogher Valley coaches Glen Kyle and Davy Black have BJ Wilson, Eugene McKenna and prop Richard Wilson unavailable with Jack Stott starting at centre and Alister Trenier on the bench. Mark Ellis continues at scrumhalf in the absence of Aaron Best, with Nathan Orr coming into the back row. It is a much changed Clogher team that will rely on captain David Sharkey to steer them through this tricky fixture.
Dromore v Ballyclare
When these two sides met at the Cloughan in September Ballyclare only just defeated Dromore (25-23). Expect another close encounter at Barban Hill this weekend. Dromore registered a convincing 20-40 win at Rainey in the Towns Cup last Saturday. They will miss their influential scrumhalf Lee Steenson through injury. There is a belief in the squad they can secure a top four placing this season and qualification for the All Ireland Junior Cup.
Ballyclare manager Peter Kirk is hoping his team can bounce back from a run of one win in their last five games, including a surprising 14-11 defeat at neighbours Carrickfergus in the Towns Cup. Player injuries and non availabilities have hurt the team both at training and in games, with little consistency from week to week. They welcome back experienced back rower Nigel Moore after a long term injury along with player coach Kris James and Gareth Byers. Tom Wilson will play at 13 and Michael Kirk is restored on the wing. A top four placing is a realistic goal for the County Antrim team after securing promotion this season.
Instonians v Bangor
Coach William Leacock and his Instonians squad face another testing fixture this week when they welcome an in-form Bangor team to Shaw’s Bridge. Both sides have strong playing squads that have enabled Instonians to win the Junior Cup and Bangor to reach the final of the All Ireland Junior Cup. Bangor have included the returning Chris Morgan, although Jason Morgan, Ryan Latimer and Mike Apsley are being rested. Mark Thompson is out with a facial injury. Young centre Desi Fusco is staking a claim for regular starting place on the 1st XV.
Instonians have injury doubts over back row forwards Paddy Marks and Rory McCurry and will look to put their strongest XV out after resting several players against Belfast Harlequins 2nds in the McCrea Cup last weekend. This fixture is sure to attract a large crowd to the South Belfast venue. Bangor will want to reverse the 3-27 defeat Instonians inflicted on them at Upritchard Park at the start of the season.
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 2
Academy v Enniskillen
The Roughfort side are joint top of Q2 with Omagh, but having played three more games than the County Tyrone men. Academy coach Gareth Lynn restores the fit again Will Martin to the centre with Dave Kenny moving to fullback to replace the injured Simon Patterson. His pack remains unchanged from the win over Grosvenor last weekend.
Enniskillen player / backs coach Ashley Finlay is delighted with the progress their playing squad has made under the guidance of head coach Norman Richmond. After an impressive 32-8 win over Randalstown in the Towns Cup the coaches will rotate their playing squad for the trip to Academy by adding Ryan Cathcart, Michael Cadden, Kyle Johnson, Danny Maguire and Richard Grey to their 17 man match day squad. It will be interesting to see the battle between the two packs with Ulster Junior props James Blair and Chris Nash starting for Academy against a powerful Skins front row. This is another mouth watering contest between two evenly matched sides and the return fixture is still to come on 31st January in Fermanagh..
Carrickfergus v Randalstown
Carrickfergus coach Warren McLean has assembled a talented and hard working squad that has completed the league double over Coleraine and recorded a 14-11 win over Ballyclare at the Toms Simms Memorial Park last Saturday. The goal for the East Antrim side is promotion to Q1 in the club’s 150th anniversary year. They are one point behind leaders Academy and Omagh, having played one game more than the latter. Randalstown struggled at Enniskillen last weekend as they were overwhelmed up front. They can expect more of the same when they meet the Carrickfergus forwards on Saturday. Carrick won the corresponding fixture 3-23 when the two sides met at Nelisbrook in October.
Coleraine v Lisburn
Head coach John Boyd is convinced his side can challenge Omagh for promotion this season. His team put in an impressive performance to defeat Q1 side Ballymoney in the Towns Cup last Saturday (11-3). Struggling Lisburn lost 27-8 at Holywood last weekend in their cup match. For their coach Mark Crothers it has been a difficult season as his team have contended with an ever lengthening injury list. Coleraine captain Stephen Dickey will be looking the maximum five points from this game as they pursue Omagh.
UUC v Omagh
Two games against Instonians and Enniskillen before Christmas has stripped coach Phil Marshall and his team of six key forwards - Mervyn Edgar, Dean Porter, Richard harpur, Stuart Allen, Davy Thompson and Jamie Sproule. He is hoping to have most of them available again during January with the exception of Thompson. The coach has been pleased with the performance of several 2nds players who have stepped up including former Omagh Academy schoolboys James Catterson and Stuart Allen. He knows he has 11 league games left and the contest for the league far from over. They require a good second half of the season. It has been a difficult season for the students as they look to avoid relegation from Q1 to Q3 in consecutive seasons.
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 3
Donegal Town v Newry
Limavady v Ophir
Lurgan v Strabane
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 4
BHSFP v Civil Service
Londonderry YMCA v Letterkenny
Virginia v Cavan