Banbridge (8th) v Nenagh Ormond (6th), Rifle Park
Just two points separate these sides as they kick off the second half the Ulster Bank League season. The Bann had a huge win over Dungannon in their last outing back in December while Nenagh Ormond were beaten at home by Naas. The new league structures mean that finishing 3rd to 10th will maintain their Division 2A status.
Naas (10th) v Queen’s University (3rd), Forenaughts
Naas picked up just their third win of the campaign in their last outing with a good win away to Nenagh Ormond. They will be hoping that the ensuing break won't have dented that form as they play host to 3rd place Queens on Saturday. The Ulster side are just three points behind Blackrock in the chase for promotion but will need to be firmly focused on this game to stay in contention.
Rainey Old Boys (12th) v UCC (11th), Hatrick Park
Level on 15 points the Cork side's slightly better points difference has them just ahead going into this game. They are also difficult enough to beat having picked up three losing bonus points in their five losses. Home advantage may tell in Rainey's favour but you can't rule out the students.
Skerries (4th) v City of Derry (14th), Holmpatrick
Skerries are motoring along nicely in 4th place but if they are to be serious promotion contenders they need to pick up the pace. A win on Saturday would certainly keep the pressure on Queens, 'Rock and Wesley. City of Derry are having a tough season and while four losing bonus points are testament to their tenacity in games, they would much prefer to be on the other side of that this weekend.
Thomond (9th) v Dungannon (16th), Liam Fitzgerald Park
Four wins and four losses have the Limerick side mid-table at the halfway point in the season. Their last win came back in November so they will be keen to set that to rights on Saturday. Dungannon are still struggling and look set to be in the relegation dogfight come the tail end of the season.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 2B
Ards (16th) v Midleton (6th), Hamilton Park
The first half of the season was one to move on from for Ards as they lost all eight games and only a losing bonus point to show. Midleton are motoring along in 6th place on 24 points and with three try bonuses they have shown they can run in the scores. Saturday will tell if Ards have turned a corner if the second half of the season will be even tougher.
Armagh (3rd) v Sunday's Well (4th), Palace Grounds
Staying in Division 2B this season means finishing in the top four - as we move to five ten team divisions for the following season. Armagh are well placed as we enter the 2nd half of the season. Sunday's Well are also in contention having finished 2014 strongly. Can they maintain that form in 2015?
ULSTER SENIOR LEAGUE
Belfast Harlequins (6th) v Ballynahinch (2nd)
Harlequins rested their entire pack that played against Malone in the Ulster Bank League for their Senior Cup game at home to City of Derry last Saturday. The result was a 10-19 defeat that has all but ruled out any ambitions they had of winning this league. Both teams have played four matches with ‘Hinch six points ahead in 2nd place as they pursue league leaders City of Derry. Despite the defeat to City of Derry there is an air of optimism at Deramore Park that they have turned the corner after a difficult start to the season. Coach Adam Larkin has seen the return of several front line players from injury, while the 2nd XV moving to the top of the 2nd XV league. There is competition for starting places as his side fight to secure their Division 1B status. Prop Ollie McCollum and hooker Stephen Weir started in the front row against City of Derry, while the returning Mark Kettyle getting 20 minutes. Willie Stewart came through his match with the 2nds along with Callum Leckey who scored three tries in their win. Unfortunately Prop Tom Fraser injured his rib cartilage in his comeback game for the seconds with his fellow prop Paul Greenaway is following concussion protocols after being injured in the UBL match at Ballymena. Ballynahinch players were able to avail of a well earned rest after their match at Dungannon was postponed.
POWERADE TOWNS CUP ROUND 2
Armagh 2nds v Bangor
With Armagh 1sts involved in a UBL game at home to Sunday’s Well, Bangor will be favourites to win this cup tie. This is a big two weeks for Bangor as they visit County Armagh in consecutive weekends for this Cup tie and then Chambers Park, Portadown for their All Ireland Junior Cup final against Dundalk on 31st January. Hooker Mark Crockfield returns from injury and will be looking to secure a place in the cup final squad. Armagh 2nds surprised Junior Cup finalists Omagh by defeating them 16-12 in the first round. Can we expect another upset at the Palace Grounds?
Larne v Ballymena 2nds
Is their the potential for a real upset at the Glynn on Saturday? Ballymena 1sts have no match this weekend which will enable their 2nds to field their strongest starting team. Larne remain top of Kukri Qualifying 3 in their quest for promotion this season and have reached the knock out stages of the Gordon West Cup. In the first round Larne came back from a 15-3 deficit at half time to defeat Lurgan 20-22 at Pollack Park. Larne captain Ryan Garrett knows it is a big day for Larne on Saturday as it has been quite a few years since they have been drawn against local rivals Ballymena. The Braidmen have had an indifferent season in the 2nd XV League, winning four encounters and losing six. They did reach the quarter finals of the Millar McCall Junior Cup before losing to Enniskillen. This fixture is sure to attract a large crowd.
Enniskillen v Ards 2nds
On paper you can see only one winner from this match. Skins are going well in the Q2 league and have ambitions to finish in the top three. They have assembled a strong playing squad and reached the semi finals of the Junior Cup earlier in the season only to lose to eventual winners Instonians. The timely return of the talented Chris McVitty, has added options to the backline for Head Coach Norman Richmond, as injuries have ruled out backs James Ferguson and Ashley Finlay. McVitty starts at fullback with Nick Finlay returning at outhalf. Nathan Richmond takes his place in the centre with Ricky Lee in for Jack Harte in the back row. Ards 2nds have no wins from 12 matches played in the 2nd XV League. They did run Carrickfergus close in the Junior Cup before losing 10-12 at Hamilton Park.
Portadown v Dromore
Probably the tie of the round at Chambers Park. Both sides are level on points in Qualifying 1 as they fight it out to secure that all important top four finish to qualify for the All Ireland Junior Cup. Portadown coach Richard Hedley is looking to bring some silverware to the club this season and he acknowledges it has been a difficult run of late in the league. When the two sides met at Barban Hill in November Dromore emerged victorious by an 11-6 scoreline. Portadown are delighted to welcome back forwards Peter Lamb, Mark Henderson and Gareth McCoy this weekend. Dromore are at full strength with forward Robert Greer available after being injured in the Cooke match after Christmas, with Ryan Kerr dropping to the bench. Both sides scored 40 points in their respective wins over Limavady and Rainey 2nds in the first round. This is another contest that is sure to attract a large crowd.
Donaghadee v Holywood
When these two sides met at Donaldson Park in the Junior Cup in September, ‘Dee ran out comfortable 50-5 winners. Last season’s finalists have injury and unavailabilities to contend with this week. Holywood have not played since they surprised visitors Lisburn in winning 27-8 at Kerr Park in the first round of the Towns Cup. Player unavailability has forced coach Laurence Kelly to select from his 2nd XV and he will rely on captain Rory Eves and Andrew Davidson to give his side a chance in this cup match. Both sides are bottom of Q1 and Q2 with the ‘Dee winning two out of 12 league games, while Holywood's record stands at no wins from eight, with only one draw to show for their efforts this season.
Carrickfergus v City of Derry 2nds
With City of Derry firsts playing in the UBL this weekend, Carrick have to be the firm favourites to win this tie. This is Carrick’s 150th anniversary year and they are determined to cap it with a cup final appearance at Kingspan Stadium on Easter Monday. Head coach Warren McLean has a full strength squad available for this match.
Banbridge 2nds v Ballynahinchs 2nds
With Banbridge 1sts playing at home in the UBL, ‘Hinch 2nds, with their great cup tradition in recent years, will be firm favourites to win this local derby. Bann 2nds have played 15 games in the 2nd XV League, winning eight and losing seven. ‘Hinch 2nds have played 10, winning nine and losing just once.
Clogher Valley v Coleraine
Coleraine have disappointed this season in Qualifying 2 after being relegated last season. Their promotion ambitions have been dashed after losing 17-15 at Randalstown last Saturday, with Omagh now clear favourites to wrap things up. They face a difficult trip to the Cran to play current Powerade Towns Cup holders Clogher Valley. Rarely does a season go by without the Fivemiletown side winning a piece of silverware. After missing out on the All Ireland Junior Cup and looking likely to finish runners up to Instonians in Q1, the Towns Cup is the only piece of silverware left for them to pursue this season. They welcome back scrumhalf and captain Aaron Best on the back of several league wins. There can only be one winner on Saturday.
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 2
Omagh v Randalstown
A fascinating contest is in store at the Thomas Mellon Playing Fields. Omagh coach Phil Marshall is still missing several key forwards who picked up injuries during December. He has had to blood several of his fringe players as they look to open up some distance on nearest rivals Carrickfergus. Randalstown achieved a memorable last minute 17-15 win over Coleraine at Nelisbrook last Saturday. They will be missing several players for this trip with captain Dan Wilson, Dan McGlade, Scott McLenaghan and Ryan Bailey unavailable, while injuries rule out David Goodrich, Emmet Crawford and Scott Stevenson. Coach Gary Longwell has included several of the undefeated 2nd XV who top Junior Four with 11 wins from 11. The players given the opportunity to impress the coach include Matt McWhinney and Matty Turner.