First Division

Young Munster v Clontarf Clifford Park, 2.30

After their toothless showing in Lansdowne Road last week not surprisingly Young Munster revert to playing Mick Lynch at outhalf from where he created both tries in their opening day win over St Mary's, with Clem Casey moving to centre and the speedy Finbar Hogan returning on the wing. With Peter Clohessy again sidelined, their dual status prop PJ McLoughlin returns and summer recruit Dave Peters makes his AIB League debut following injury. Importantly though, they await a late fitness test on number eight Matu Njumiaga. Clontarf have Richie Murphy back and Rod Nowlan debuts on the wing but Kiwi lock Ben Gissing is suspended for another game. Alex Wyllie's team have possessed more arrows in their quiver but then there's Young Munster's famed defence and home advantage.

Last three seasons: Young Munster 25 Clontarf 19; Clontarf 6 Young Munster 3; Young Munster 27 Clontarf 21.

Formguide: Young Munster - W L L. Clontarf - W L W.

Leading try scorers: Young Munster - Casey, Mullins, O'Connell 1 each. Clontarf - Bobby Baggott 3, Gary Kavanagh 2.

Leading points scorers: Young Munster - Mick Lynch 21. Clontarf - Richie Murphy 33.

Referee: Gareth Doyle (IRFU).

Odds: 4/9 Young Munster, 20/1 Draw, 13/8 Clontarf. Handicap odds (= Clontarf +5pts) 10/11 Young Munster, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Clontarf.

Forecast: Young Munster to win.

Buccaneers v Shannon Ericcson Park, 2.30

Three defeats on the spin have left Buccaneers looking wounded and possibly at their most dangerous. Unflattered by last week's 23-point defeat to Constitution, a big improvement is expected. But their excessive blooding of new faces (14 already in three games) continues with a new halfback partnership of Ted Robinson and dual status Connemara outhalf Mark Foyl.

Darren Yapp returns in a new role at full back, Eamonn Molloy is named in the centre and Donal Rigney is brought into the second-row with Colm Rigney switching to the back-row to the exclusion of Eoin Brennan - Buccaneers clearly seeking to counter Shannon's back-row physique. Mindful of Buccaneers' front-row, pending national clearance, Shannon may select John Hayes from the start, and Anthony Foley also, thereby resting Alan Quinlan's sore back. Centre Mossie Lawlor and winger Colm McMahon also start to add further potency out wide. Buccaneers were something of a budding Shannon when they first emerged but Shannon have had their measure so far.

Last three seasons: Didn't meet, Shannon 36 Buccs 3; Buccs 13 Shannon 25.

Formguide: Buccs - L L L. Shannon - W W.

Leading try scorers: Buccs - O'Brien, Walker, McVeigh, C Rigney, Barrett 1 each. Shannon - John O'Neill 2.

Leading points scorers: Buccs - Eamonn Molloy 15. Shannon - Andrew Thompson 18.

Referee: Donal Courtney (IRFU).

Odds: 11/4 Buccs, 20/1 Draw, 1/4 Shannon. Handicap odds (= Buccs + 10pts) 10/11 Buccs, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Shannon.

Forecast: Shannon to win.

Garryowen v Ballymena Dooradoyle, 2.30

This is usually good for some fun and games, given the last three meetings have yielded a remarkable 28 tries. Alas, depleted and transitional, Garryowen have yet to reach any kind of stride whereas Ballymena have hit the ground running. The predictable retention of Killian Keane at outhalf and Jeremy Staunton at centre, which gives the latter "more time and space to see what's developing around him" suggests pragmatism reigns again though last week's win is sure to have given their new young bloods a significant infusion of confidence.

Cois Beukeus comes in for Gary Longwell in the Ballymena secondrow while Andre Bester may toy with recalling Stanley McDowell in his back three. The most interesting and revealing test yet of Ballymena's traditional suspect mental strength, especially away from home.

Last three seasons: Garryowen 66 Ballymena 29; Ballymena 13 Garryowen 19; Garryowen 38 Ballymena 44.

Formguide: Garryowen - L L W. Ballymena - W W W.

Leading try scorers: Garryowen - Jeremy Staunton 1. Ballymena - Shane Stewart 3, Rhys Botha, Scott Young, Russell Nelson 2 each.

Leading points scorers: Garryowen - Staunton 34.

Blackrock College v Galwegians Stradbrook, 2.30

Last season, Blackrock's young tyros seemed a far likelier bet to mount a top four challenge but whereas injury and unavailability have significantly blunted their edge, Galwegians have strengthened astutely and begun impressively. Nathan Turner's return should strengthen Blackrock's hand, presuming Alan McGowan is also fit. John Kingston, from a position of full-strength, indicates changes up-front, suggesting a first start for the promising 21-year-old openside Johnny O'Connor.

Hitherto an impact player, this is typical of Kingston's careful mentoring, though there seems no holding Gavin Duffy back. Indicative of a day when the five unbeaten sides are all away, this is one of several 50-50 looking games. Well organised and confident, Galwegians look in better nick though this too will be a revealing test for them.

Last three seasons: Didn't meet; Galwegians 9 Blackrock 16; Blackrock 21 Galwegians 29.

Formguide: Blackrock - W L L. Galwwegians W W W.

Leading try scorers: Blackrock - Turner, Noble, Jackson, McGowan, Ferris, Halpin 1 each. Galwegians - Gavin Duffy 4.

Leading points scorers: Blackrock - Alan McGowan 30. Galwegians - Eric Elwood 28.

Referee: Dave McHugh (IRFU).

Odds: 4/6 Blackrock, 20/1 Draw, 11/10 Galwegians. Handicap odds (= Galwegians + 3pts) 10/11 Blackrock, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Galwegians.

Forecast: Galwegians to win.

Dungannon v Lansdowne Stevenson Park, 2.30

Another of the vagaries of the fixture scheduling is that Lansdowne are obliged to make a third successive visit north in this matchup. They do so wearily with Aussie centre Gus Hamilton becoming their eighth casualty - joining Gordon D'Arcy, Shane Horgan, Robbie Dolan, Reggie Corrigan, Angus McKeen, Graham Quinn, Liam Toland and Stephen Rooney on the sidelines, and compounding an outhalf problem which sees David Quigley called-up for his full debut.

Dungannon, similarly, are without Tyrone Howe, Ryan Constable, Brad Free, Justin Fitzpatrick and Paddy Johns but, importantly, welcome back the influential Tony McWhirter, and do have both home advantage and David Humphreys, which should augment a likely edge up front.

Last three seasons: Dungannon 28 Lansdowne 8; didn't meet; Dungannon 16 Lansdowne 35.

Formguide: Dungannon - L W L. Lansdowne - D W W.

Leading try scorers: Dungannon - Bryn Cunningham 2. Lansdowne - Hamilton, O'Brien, Niland, McEntee 1 each.

Leading points scorers: Dungannon - David Humphreys 44. Lansdowne - Mark Woods 22.

Referee: Tony Redmond (IRFU).

Odds: 4/6 Dungannon, 20/1 Draw, 11/10 Lansdowne. Handicap odds (= Lansdowne +3pts) 10/11 Dungannon, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Lansdowne.

Forecast: Dungannon to win.

Terenure College v Cork Constitution Lakelands Park, 2.30

More in an unproven belief that Terenure are really a damned sight better than they looked last week, you'd expect a big reaction from them this week, especially at home to the leaders of a formative table. Injury to in-form centre Mark O'Kelly is a loss though, as is the continuing absence of Eric Miller.

By comparison, with Derek Dillon passed fit and Ronan O'Gara still out, Constitiution are unchanged. Brian O'Meara, in a rich vein of form, has also been a revelation as a place-kicker while Aussie flanker Craig Taylor has looked a shrewd and prolific acquisition. Nure have the greater need.

Last three seasons: Cork Con 15 Terenure 18; Terenure 8 Cork Con 14; Cork Con 33 Terenure 15.

Formguide: Terenure - D W L. Cork Con - W W W.

Leading try scorers: Terenure - David Coleman 3, Mark O'Kelly, Eric Miller 2 each. Cork Con - Craig Taylor 4, Brian O'Meara 2.

Leading points scorers: Terenure - Shane Cullen 26. Cork Con - O'Meara - 42.

Referee: Alain Tolland (IRFU).

Odds: 10/11 Terenure, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Cork Con.

Forecast: Terenure to win.

Belfast Harlequins v Old Crescent Ormeau Road, 2.30

Partners in promotion, Crescent have looked far better equipped for survival than Harlequins, who have suffered the most ominous start of everyone. With a home debut in the top flight, improvement can be expected, but compounding their woes, Barry Dick is out for the season with a broken ankle and winger Andy Park has the flu while, already, they've decided to switch Niall Malone with full back Paul Hancock moving to outhalf.

Crescent, meantime, are unchanged despite defeat last week. They may not offer a whole lot, but their basic level of performance looks the better just now.

Last three seasons: Didn't meet. Formguide: Belfast Harlequins - L L. Old Crescent - L W L.

Leading try scorers: Belfast Harlequins - Gerard O'Loan 1. Old Crescent - Wayne Munn 3.

Leading points scorers: Belfast Harlequins - O'Loan 5. Old Crescent - Brian Begley 32.

Referee: Alan Lewis (IRFU).

Odds: 7/4 B/Harlequins, 20/1 Draw, 2/5 Old Crescent. Handicap odds (= B/Harlequins + 6pts) 10/11 B/Harlequins, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Old Crescent.

Forecast: Old Crescent to win.

DLSP v St Mary's College Kilternan, 2.30

Phil Werahiko shuffles the DLSP backs, with Mihai Vioreanu reverting to full back and Shane Stephens to centre, both in their more natural positions, and Eddie Devitt to the wing. Importantly, dual status prop Kent Ashmore is available again but they miss the hard yards and gainline breaking of Declan O'Brien, still on the bench.

It's their bad luck too that Malcolm O'Kelly is back for his first AIL start this season and the visitors' Mal-inspired line-out should lord it over the host's malfunctioning version while St Mary's also look to have a notable kicking edge in Hekenui-Broughton duel. Dara Hughes, at full back, Brendan Bartley and Alan Conboy form their outside three, with Peter McKenna moved to centre. Both are improving but these things are relative and Mary's appear to have more to work with.

Last three seasons: Didn't meet, Didn't meet, St Mary's 22 DLSP 11.

Formguide: DLSP - L L L. St Mary's - L L W.

Leading try scorers: DLSP - Eddie Devitt, Mihai Vioreanu 2 each. St Mary's - Ray McIlreavy 1.

Leading points scorers: DLSP - Devitt, Vioreanu 10 each. St Mary's - Mark McHugh, Eddie Hekenui 12 each.

Referee: Olan Trevor (IRFU).

Odds: 9/4 DLSP, 20/1 Draw, St Mary's 1/3. Handicap odds (= DLSP +7pts) 10/11 DLSP, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 St Mary's.

Forecast: St Mary's to win.

Division Two

UL/Bohemians v Ballynahinch Thomond Park, 2.30

Wisely moved forward to leave Christmas week free, it's a wonder other Division Two clubs didn't think of it. As a result, victory will temporarily propel either side to second in the table, which shows how open this division is once again given Ballynahinch are seventh and UL/Bohemians are 11th. Their current discrepancy may simply be down to Ballynahinch having played a game more at home, as both sides are without an away win but unbeaten at home so far.

Last season: Balynahinch 18 Bohemians 8.

Formguide: UL/Bohemians - L W L W L. Ballynahinch - W L W L W.

Referee: Conor Branigan (IRFU).

Forecast: UL/Bohemians to win.

Betting courtesy of Paddy Power.