Division one

Blackrock College v Terenure College Stradbrook (6.00)

The excellence of Blackrock's tight five play in particular will be tested in the first game of the run-in without their hugely influential captain Leo Cullen, though this is offset by the availability again of Brian O'Driscoll and Tom Keating. Gavin McCarthy makes his first start at number eight while Trevor Hogan moves to second row.

Terenure will be without Girvan Dempsey (fractured cheekbone) and Eric Miller (rested), so Joe Coffey comes in at full back. Terenure are best placed on points difference of the trio of mid-table sides seeking a four-timer and ensuing top-four spot tonight.

Last three seasons ('99-00 to '97-98): Didn't meet, Blackrock 22 Terenure 16; Terenure 13 Blackrock 20.

Five-game formguide (most recent on right): Blackrock - D W L WL. Terenure - W L W W W.

Leading try scorers: Blackrock - Gary Browne, Nathan Turner, Alan McGowan two each. Terenure - David Coleman five, Mark O'Kelly, Eric Miller, Steve Barretto three each.

Leading points scorers: Blackrock - Alan McGowan 122. Terenure - Shane Cullen 66.

Betting (all courtesy of Paddy Powers): 11/10 Blackrock, 16/1 Draw, 4/6 Terenure. Handicap odds (Blackrock +3pts) 10/11 Blackrock, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Terenure.

Forecast: Terenure to win.

Belfast Harlequins v St Mary's Ormeau (6.00)

Typical of their plagued season, just when St Mary's were gaining some momentum their captain Victor Costello became another victim of the Good Friday game, torn ligaments in a finger sidelining the team's main weapon for possibly the rest of the season. Malcolm O'Kelly has a slight shoulder injury, so Noel Keane makes his first start in the second row and Mark Donnellan comes into the back row, while centre Gareth Gannon is out for a few weeks with a knee injury, Alan Conboy coming in.

By comparison, buoyed by their first win in seven, the Belfast club welcome back Simon Best.

Last three seasons: Didn't meet, didn't meet, didn't meet.

Five-game formguide: B/Harlequins - L L L L W. St Mary's - L D W W W.

Leading try scorers: B/Harlequins - Robin Morrow, Gerard O'Loan three each. St Mary's - Peter McKenna, Denis Hickie three each.

Leading points scorers: B/Harlequins - Paul Hancock 49. St Mary's - Mark McHugh - 60.

Betting: 6/4 B/Harlequins, 16/1 Draw, 1/2 St Mary's. Handicap odds (B/Harlequins +5pts) 10/11 B/Harlequins, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 St Mary's.

Forecast: St Mary's to win.

Buccaneers v Dungannon Ericcson Park (5.30).

Buccsaneers' enforced inactivity for almost three weeks may have slowed their momentum though it means lock Kevin Barrett won't have missed a game after returning from New Zealand this weekend while Simon Allnutt is again set for his seasonal re-appearance with Greg Austin deputising at full back for Rob Lee, still nursing a cut forehead.

Dungannon are also seeking a fourth win in a row and, at full-strength with that away day monkey off their backs following the win in Stradbrook, have enough inform match-winning backs to keep their run going.

Last three seasons: Buccaneers 15 Dungannon 10; didn't meet, (play-off Buccaneers 11 Dungannon 17, Dungannon 10 Buccaneers 27).

Five-game formguide: Buccs - L L W W W. Dungannon - L D W W W.

Leading try scorers: Buccs - Mattie Walker four. Dungannon - Jan Cunningham five, Bryn Cunningham three.

Leading points scorers: Buccs - Eamonn Molloy 50. Dungannon - David Humphreys 122.

Betting: 11/8 Buccs, 16/1 Draw, 8/15 Dungannon. Handicap odds (Buccs +4pts) 10/11 Buccs, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Dungannon.

Forecast: Dungannon to win.