Division One

Shannon v Dolphin

An Opportunity for Shannon to fine-tune a preferred pattern of play without risking defeat. Coach Pat Murray faces a tricky decision in the back row where Colm McMahon is pushing hard for a place. The Cork side were hammered by Clontarf last week and face a similar fate at Thomond Park.

Clontarf v Old Belvedere

The North Dublin club easily mastered a potentially difficult assignment in Cork last weekend with an ease that suggests that they could possibly sneak into contention for the play-offs. Belvedere managed a gritty win against Old Crescent, but won't make it two in succession.

Dungannon v Terenure

The Ulster side are firmly entrenched in relegation combat and in today's opponents find a team sliding to join them. Terenure have flattered to deceive and badly need a little more substance to performances. Should just about manage the victory at Stevenson Park.

Old Crescent v Blackrock

Despite an upturn in fortune since the arrival of Tony Grant on the coaching staff, Crescent remain vulnerable, as Belvedere proved. The Limerick side host a Blackrock team whose young guns are using live ammunition rather than the blanks of early season. Blackrock to win.

St Mary's v Ballymena

These two sides enter the fray boasting contrasting experiences: St Mary's are buoyed by a fine win over Lansdowne while their Northern opponents were abject in their failure against Cork Constitution. The forward battle will be central to a result that will have a huge bearing on who makes the play-offs. St Mary's to shade it.

Constitution v Garryowen

Cork Constitution are aware that only victories from here on in will suffice. Beating Ballymena away last week will have been worthless unless they can sustain the momentum. Garryowen lost a match they might have won against Shannon and may extend an unwanted sequence to two games when they face an in-form Ronan O'Gara and company.

Lansdowne v Young Munster

The defeat suffered at the hands of St Mary's is bound to have shattered Lansdowne's fragile confidence. Changes in the centre and back row should strengthen the team but not sufficiently to pose a substantial threat to Munsters: the latter still have one eye on the play-offs.

Division Two

UCC v Greystones

The students should administer another lesson, this time to a Greystones team that has been gripped by a downward spiral since the New Year. The Wicklow side are plunging towards relegation concerns.

Bective Rangers v Malone

Both sides would cherish a victory given present positions in the wrong half of the table. Bective continue to rehabilitate after a poor start to the season, while Malone's fragile away form should undermine them once again.

City Of Derry v DLSP

Mid-table fare with only pride at stake as neither side have much to play for. Home advantage should decide this issue in the Ulster side's favour.

Sunday's Well v Wanderers

The Cork side continue their pursuit of the top two in the division in a seemingly vain hope that they can profit from a slip, especially on the part of Buccaneers. Wanderers will provide tough, but not insurmountable, opposition.

Galwegians v Monkstown

Things are about to get gloomier for Monkstown, currently propping up the rest of the division. A trip to the home of the pace-setters is about the last thing that the Dublin side require. Their misery to continue.

Buccaneers v Old Wesley

A potential banana skin for Buccaneers against arguably the most improved side in Leinster. If Buccaneers remain focused on the task in hand, then they should maintain their pursuit of Galwegians.

Skerries v Instonians

Third and second last in the table respectively, this match takes on huge importance for both teams. Skerries lost an unbeaten three-year record at Holmpatrick but should not be beaten for a second time today.