Saturday

Ballymena v Lansdowne, Eaton Park

Without Mark Blair and Gary Longwell, Ballymena are looking a little light up front. That aside they've a committed and lively backline. However the tries are in short supply (two from four games) leaving a lot for Pete McIntosh to do from the boot. Lansdowne, who lost to Clontarf in the Leinster Cup semi-final, are hopeful Gabriel Fulcher will be fit but scrumhalf David O'Mahony and front-row Angus McKeen are on holidays. Hopeful of Leinster centre Adam Magro and the injury struck Aidan McCullen lining out, the Dublin side seek to prevent their third successive defeat in a traditionally tough venue.

Formguide: Ballymena LLWL; Lansdowne WWLL.

Leading try scorers: Ballymena - S McDowell, A Maxwell 1; Lansdowne - A Ronan, A McGowan, B Doherty, K Becker, C McMahon, C Pratt 1.

Leading points scorers: Ballymena - P McIntosh 50; Lansdowne - A McGowan 39.

Referee: O Trevor

Forecast: Lansdowne to win

DLSP v Dungannon, Kilternan

With Paddy Johns now always available, Dungannon will benefit from both his experience and his on-pitch expertise in the pack. But winger John Mitchell and the concussed Richard Mackay are both unavailable. DLSP field the same side that beat Cork Constitution 29-9 in their last league match. New coach Paddy Stewart was in charge for the first time against Constitution and his input has shaped DLSP into a more professional outfit. Still against last year's champions, who have struggled to find consistency this season, DLSP will need to be at their best.

Formguide: DLSP LLLW; Dungannon WLWLW.

Leading try scorers: DLSP - M Vioreau 3; Dungannon - D Cunningham 2.

Leading points scorers: DLSP - D McCabe 15; Dungannon - I Humphreys 26.

Referee: T Redmond

Forecast: Dungannon to win

UCD v Clontarf, Belfield

UCD have nine injured players who are in varying degrees of doubt for the Belfield match including a clutch from the back row. But the likelihood is that most will be fit to play. The students' typical running, recycling game allied to astute kicking from behind the scrum, notably from Eoghan Hickie, has bemused many sides this season, latterly St Mary's. But Clontarf with a strong pack may cause problems and despite the injuries to Ronan O'Reilly at scrumhalf and Donovan Rossi on the wing, UCD will find it tough going. However, James Dempsey, the Clontarf kicker, is also unavailable through injury and that could be vital.

Formguide: UCD WWLD; Clontarf LWDL.

Leading try scorers: UCD - D O'Sullivan 2; Clontarf - R O'Reilly, P Lynn, O Winchester, D O'Brien, J Dempsey, A Cullen, B Gissing 1.

Leading points scorers: UCD - E Hickey 47; Clontarf - J Dempsey 46.

Referee: L Mayne

Forecast: Home win

Sunday

Carlow v Buccaneers, Oak Park

The match of the weekend perhaps. Two provincial sides that have come up the hard way meet in Oak Park. Carlow have had a better run, losing just one from four matches while Buccaneers went down 22-19 to Dungannon in their last AIL match.

Given the scalps taken this far, Carlow appear to have impressed more while their try scoring has been one of the most prolific in the league (11 in four matches). That said, home advantage will also come into play, making Carlow an irresistible bet.

Formguide: Carlow WLWW; Buccaneers WLWL.

Leading try scorers: Carlow - M Spiller 3; Buccaneers - T Robinson 2.

Leading points scorers: Carlow - B Murphy, P Jones 12; Buccaneers - C Glynn 50.

Referee: S Flannery

Forecast: Carlow

Galwegians v Shannon, Crowley Park

Here are two sides that have changed beyond recognition since last season. Concentrating on youth and filling in the contracted positions with home grown talent has been successful for both teams. Crucially, however, Galwegians' kicker Brian Shelbourne has a troublesome hamstring and is doubtful for the match. Both teams will await news from the provinces to see who they have at their disposal, so who will line out is anyone's guess. Shannon have the better record so far but playing in Galway should even things somewhat, if not enough.

Formguide: Galwegians LLWL; Shannon LWWL.

Leading try scorers: Galwegians - M Murphy, R Lee 1; Shannon - J O'Connor, D Quinlan, M McNamara 1.

Leading points scorers: Galwegians - B Shelbourne 43; Shannon - A Thompson 50.

Referee: D Tyndall

Forecast: Shannon

Garryowen v Terenure, Dooradoyle

Terenure welcome back their captain Shane Cullen at full back for the first time this season while the back line general Kevin Putt has recovered from a dead leg. The Dublin side seek their fourth win in succession but Garryowen are unbeaten this season and put Dungannon to the sword last time out. Travelling to Dooradoyle, where the home side hope for the likes of Dominic Crotty and Killian Keane to be available, to take the Limerick scalp is a tall order even for Terenure.

Formguide: Garryowen WDWW; Terenure LWWW.

Leading try scorers: Garryowen - J O'Sullivan, C Tupinier, P Humphreys, K Keane, R Niland, P Neville, B Treacy 1; Terenure - R Governey 2.

Leading points scorers: Garryowen - B Treacy 55; Terenure - R Governey 52.

Referee: D Napier

Forecast: Home win

St Mary's v Consitution, Templeville

St Mary's are still trying to fathom how UCD scrapped a 9-9 draw at Templeville Road in their last match. That's been their only blemish thus far. Centre Kieron Lewis is injured while openside Karl Jennings is still hamstrung and his back-row brother Shane is doubtful. But centre Garreth Gannon is back from a concussion forced rest and St Mary's, like Constitution, are hopeful of a few of their provincial players slipping the 40-minute rule in their Celtic League matches. Constitution have usually struggled at Templeville and look this weekend to continue to do so.

Formguide: St Mary's WWWD; Cork Con LWLW.

Leading try scorers: St Mary's - C McPhillips 2; Cork Con - D O'Callaghan 3.

Leading points scorers: St Mary's - B Lynn 34; Cork Con - C Mahony 48.

Referee: S McDowell

Forecast: St Mary's.