The Kukri Championship returns this weekend with a full round of fixtures in Championship 1 and 2.
Saturday will see a return to packed sidelines all over the province as competitive action makes a welcome return after several months of inactivity with 10 fixtures taking place between the two divisions.
Championship 1 has a new look this season with Belfast Harlequins, Ards and Limavady all bringing a renewed freshness to the fixture list.
There’s a fascinating derby to kick things off in North Down where Ards welcome neighbours Bangor to Hamilton Park.
After several years in Championship 2, Ards, built on winning last season’s Junior Shield to mount a strong promotion challenge. Something they achieved by defeating CIYMS in a play-off at the end of last season.
Belfast Harlequins will be aiming for an immediate return to the senior ranks, and they begin life in junior rugby by welcoming Portadown to Deramore Park.
A tricky opener for the Quinns as Portadown will be hoping to build on the progress of last season that saw they achieve a top four finish.
Last year’s Championship 2 winners Limavady will be eager to mark their return to junior rugby’s topflight with an early win. But the Roesiders have a difficult opening day assignment as they must travel to Shaw's Bridge to play Cooke.
There’s sure to be a large crowd in attendance at Barben Hill where Dromore host Lurgan.
Lurgan have adapted to life in Championship 1 very well since their promotion a few years ago and will be keen to build on last season’s fifth place finish. But they are coming up against one of junior rugby’s strongest and most consistent teams in Dromore.
The County Down men will no doubt be in the promotion chase again this season.
Finally, Ballymoney will hope home field advantage will drive them to an opening day win against Omagh.
The Tyrone men took their time to find their feet after relegation from the AIL, but they put together a strong run of results in the second half of the season.
Championship 1 Fixtures. All games kick-off at 2.30pm
Ards v Bangor
Ballymoney v Omagh
Belfast Harlequins v Portadown
Cooke v Limavady
Dromore v Lurgan
There’s a distinct North-West feel to Championship 2 this year.
Five of the ten clubs competing all hail from the region which will no doubt serve up some interesting derbies throught the season. Despite this, there are no opening weekend derbies, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t any intriguing fixtures being down for decision.
Carrickfergus are now under the watchful eye of former Scottish international Jamie Hodgson, and they are strongly fancied to be in the hunt for promotion. They host Letterkenny at Tom Sim Memorial Park.
Down the road at Neilsbrook, the two sides relegated from Championship 1 last season square up against each other.
Randalstown and CIYMS will both be aiming to be in the race for promotion, and an early season win against a major rival on Saturday could be the springboard for a successful season.
City of Derry have recruited well over the close season, and they have also welcomed back Stephen Corr and Simon Logue to their ranks. And they will be hoping that their experience will help them to an opening day win against Lisburn.
In the North-East Larne host Coleraine at The Glynn.
Clashes between the two are always closely fought and Saturday promises to be no different.
In the divisions final fixture, Academy go west to play last season’s Championship 3 winners Strabane.
Always a difficult venue for visiting teams, Strabane will be hoping that home advantage can steer them to an opening day win against an Academy side that will have aspirations of promotion on their minds.
Championship 2 Fixtures. All games kick-off at 2.30pm.
Carrickfergus v Letterkenny
City of Derry v Lisburn
Larne v Coleraine
Randalstown v C.I.Y.M.S.
Strabane v Academy