BALLYNAHINCH v BALLYMENA (Sat 22nd Feb, 2.00pm)
Both sides have won eight out of nine games and collected eight bonus points on their latest travels. Despite the All Ireland League being their priority, both sides will not want to miss out on the opportunity to win silverware. Ballymena 1st XV manager Peter McKenzie is confident his side can win this game. With a full squad to select from, the Ballymena side are hoping that their Ulster Ravens players Andy Warwick and David Shanahan will be released by the Ulster Management to improve their sides chances of victory. Long term injuries however, will rule out Timmy Small and Jamie Smith. Ballynahinch, despite their struggles in the All Ireland league will miss their Captain Stuart Morrow who will be playing for the Ireland Club XV against the English Counties side this weekend. The Ballynahich club have all seven adult sides competing in crucial league and Cup games this weekend. Coaches Serek Suffern and Charlie McAleese will not be in a position to rest their regular 1st XV players with another key AIL game coming up at home against St Mary's on the 1st March. This fixture is sure to attract a large crowd despite the Six Nations games this weekend.
DUNGANNON v QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY (Sat 22nd Feb, 1.30pm)
With their AIL game against Shannon postponed last weekend, the County Tyrone side will look for valuable game time this weekend before they travel to play second place Corinthians in Galway on the 1st March. Queens are going through a difficult patch after losing AIL matches to Rainey and Cashel. Their cause will be made no easier with the unavailability of Chris Colvin, Ryan Clarke and David Whann playing on Friday evening for the Irish Universities side against an Irish Exiles side at Ealing. Out half Ritchie McMaster is on the bench for the Ireland Club side in England with winger David Busby playing for the Ireland under 20 side. Coach Patrick Armstrong will have to dig deep into his playing resources for this game with injuries ruling out several players. Director of Rugby Robbie Moore knows his side have a difficult AIL match coming up with UCC at the Dub the following weekend.
MALONE v ARMAGH (Fri 21st Feb, 8.00pm)
This should be an entertainng game for the neutral spectators with both sides facing difficult AIL games the following weekend. Malone entertain Division 2A league leaders Terenure College at Gibson Park with Armagh travelling to play Division 2B leaders Nenagh Ormond. With Malone seconds playing Grosvenor 1st XV in the McCrea Cup on Sat, coaches Jacque Benade and Gareth Fry will have no opportunity to rest players after their heroic 39 - 34 defeat at UL Bohemians last Saturday in a nine try thriller played on the 4G pitch at Limerick Uni. Armagh surprised the in form Belfast Harlequins at the Palace grounds two weeks ago to win
18 - 7 in the USL. Coach Andy Hughes will look a big performance from his players to maintain their winning run of recent weeks. This game has the potential to be a very high scoring game.