(2.30 p.m. unless stated)
SATURDAY
Clontarf v Carlow, Castle Avenue - CLONTARF report no injuries from last week's draw but Carlow have the slight edge on form. To the Dubliner's credit they can get points on the board - 21, 31 and 26 points in their last three matches. Carlow have won their two home games with a loss away to Dungannon suggesting they may not be as strong travelling. Bobby Baggott is pretty familiar with Castle Avenue and Carlow travel at full strength. Ian Dwyer and captain Andy Melville have been finding the try line with regularity. It's a tough one for Clontarf.
Formguide: Clontarf L W D Carlow W L W.
Leading try scorers: Clontarf: R O'Reilly, P Lynn, O Winchester, D O'Brien, J Dempsey, A Cullen, B Gissing - 1 each; Carlow A Melville, I Dwyer, B Baggott - 1 each.
Leading points scorers: Clontarf: J Dempsey - 37; Carlow: P Jones - 12..
Referee: M Kilgore.
Forecast: Carlow win.
Dungannon v Buccaneers, Stevenson Park
Dungannon have already had their request for a postponement turned down due to a player crisis. Without eight Ulster players the side was further weakened by the selection of Aidan Kearney, Kieron Campbell and Jan Cunningham for the Development side to face Samoa on Sunday. All that adds up to a pretty sorry state of affairs for Dungannon, who lost 24-10 at home last week to Terenure. Buccaneers, even missing prop Martin Cahill to the Development squad, should take advantage of a weakened side.
Formguide: Dungannon W L; Buccaneers W L W.
Leading try scorers: Dungannon: D Cunningham - 2; Buccaneers: T Robinson - 2.
Leading points scorers: Dungannon: M Bradley - 14; Buccaneers: C Glynn - 36.
Referee: L Mayne
Forecast: Buccaneers win.
Galwegians v Ballymena, Crowley Park
Depleted Galwegians got off the ground last week with their underage players against the currently in-form UCD. Quite a surprise but a welcome win for the Connacht side. Ballymena arrive with a competitive pack, although an injury-struck second row, but are strengthened with the return of Stanley McDowell in midfield. Andrew Maxwell on the wing should also pose a threat. Peter McIntosh, their Australian outhalf continues to show intelligence behind the pack which all adds up to a considerable threat, even in Crowley Park.
Formguide: Galwegians L L W Ballymena L L.
Leading try scorers: Galwegians - 0; Ballymena - 0.
Leading points scorers: Galwegians: B Shelbourne - 38; Ballymena: P McIntosh - 24.
Referee: D Keane.
Forecast: Ballymena win.
St Mary's v UCD, Templeville Road
Very good back line and good at two and four in the lineouts, St Mary's have managed the absence of their contracted players better than most so far. With three wins in succession and nine tries they know how to attack. Again the Ireland Development squad match has intervened on both sides. John McWeeney goes for St Mary's while Gareth Gannon has concussion which invites Leslie Copeland into the centre. Gavin Hickie hopes to return to the front row from Newport while UCD do without centre Shane Moore and full-back Dermot O'Sullivan, both also involved in the Development side. The students played badly against Galwegians last week but may face another disappointment at Templeville Road.
Formguide: St Mary's W W W; UCD W W L.
Leading try scorers: St Mary's: C McPhillips - 2; UCD: D O'Sullivan -2.
Leading points scorers: St Mary's: B Lynn - 25; UCD: E Hickey - 38.
Referee: D Woods.
Forecast: St Mary's win.
SUNDAY
Lansdowne v Garryowen, Lansdowne Road
A difficult match for Lansdowne who were unhappy with the defeat to Carlow. Garryowen travel with a number of changes most notably Dermot O'Riordan coming in for Killian Keane, who was picked for the Development match. Conor Hartigan replaces Peter Malone at wing forward while Dermot's brother Kevin, back from honeymoon, goes to the left wing. Andrew McGuckian also comes in at scrumhalf for Shane McCarthy. Lansdowne also have Aidan McCullen and Liam Toland on the Development side but Angus Keen is back in at tighthead with the hope that Adam Magro may also be available after Leinster's match in Newport.
Formguide: Lansdowne W W L; Garryowen W D.
Leading try scorers: Lansdowne: A Ronan, A McGowan, B Doherty, K Becker, C McMahon - 1: Garryowen: J O'Sullivan, C Tupinier, P Humphreys, K Keane - 1.
Leading points scorers: Lansdowne: A McGowan - 34: Garryowen: B Treacy - 34.
Referee: D McHugh.
Forecast: Garryowen narrowly.
Shannon v Blackrock College, Thomond Park (2 p.m.)
Because Irish openside David Wallace is injured for Munster's European Cup match Alan Quinlan moves into the squad. With Johnny O'Connor also injured and possibly in need of knee surgery Shannon are a little light in the wing-forward positions. Conor McMahon and Derek Hegarty have also been asked to play in the Development match so Blackrock face a more depleted Shannon threat than usual. With Declan O'Brien making his first start of the season at blindside Blackrock have strengthened a little in the pack but still occasionally lack direction in combat.
Formguide: Shannon L W W; Blackrock College W L L.
Leading try scorers: Shannon: J O'Connor, D Quinlan - 1; Blackrock College: G Browne - 3.
Leading points scorers: Shannon: A Thompson - 36; Blackrock College: C Kilroy - 13.
Referee: B Smith.
Forecast: Shannon.
Young Munster v Terenure, Tom Clifford Park
Still injury-hit and without a win Young Munster face Terenure without Paul O'Connell and Des Clohessy, both of whom are playing against Samoa tomorrow. Terenure look in good shape with Michael Smith, returned from the US, back in the centre for Matthew Dowling. Michael Quinn is also retained in the second row as the Dublin side seek their third consecutive win. No doubt Young Munster are in a trough as Galwegians were before they beat UCD last week. But that was a long shot.
Formguide: Young Munster L L L; Terenure L W W.
Leading try scorers: Young Munster: P O'Connell, L Doyle - 1; Terenure: R Governey - 2.
Leading points scorers: Young Munster: M Lynch - 26; R Governey - 35.
Referee: S McDowell.
Forecast: Terenure win.
Cork Constitution v DLSP, Temple Hill
Cork Con face a DLSP side who have yet to win a match and who have changed coaches already this season. There are two ways to see that. Either DLSP's fortune must change in an effort to please their new master or they are an easy touch. Con take the former view and see the Dublin side as dangerous. The home side make a few changes from the team which beat Blackrock, most notably Donnecha O'Callaghan, who won't play because he faces Samoa. Also Dave Murray comes into the hooking position for John Fogarty. Still Con should prevail with overall strength.
Formguide: Cork Con L W; DLSP L L L.
Leading try scorers: Cork Constitution: D O'Callaghan - 2; DLSP: M Viorneau - 2.
Leading points scorers: Cork Constitution: C Mahony - 28: DLSP: J Critchley - 7.
Referee: P Eakin.
Forecast: Cork Con win.
