Division One

Ballymena v Belfast Harlequins, Eaton Park, 2.15 - Ballymena are without Irish lock Gary Longwell (South African Cois Beukeus or Paul McBride will deputise) and Brad Free (in Australia), while Neil Doak comes in at scrumhalf, and they are still missing Derek Topping and Stanley McDowell. Harlequins are at fullstrength, including six ex-Ballymena men for this local derby and have the better kicker in Niall Malone. Yet at Eaton Park Ballymena's Botha-Stewart midfield potency and variation should see them through.

Bookies odds (all courtesy of Paddy Powers): 1/10 Ballymena, 22/1 Draw, 11/2 B/Harlequins. (Handicap odds=B/Harlequins + 16pts) 10/11 Ballymena, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 B/Harlequins.

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

Referee: David Keane (IRFU).

Forecast: Ballymena to win.

St Mary's College v Blackrock College, Templeville Road - The champions, still missing Mark McHugh, Gareth Gannon, John McWeeney, Ross Doyle and three props, crucially welcome back Emmet Byrne and Peter McKenna to the centre, while Trevor Brennan will play in the second-row if his dead leg is better and Shane Jennings starts his first AIB league match. A big game for Victor Costello, passed fit, and Peter Smyth against the 'Rock, and with home advantage and perhaps even more to play for, 'Mary's have their best chance of the season so far.

Bookies odds: 10/11 St Mary's, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Blackrock.

Last three seasons: St Mary's 41 Blackrock 23; St Mary's 34 Blackrock 11; Didn't meet.

Referee: Bertie Smith (IRFU).

Forecast: Blackrock to win.

Clontarf v Dungannon, Castle Avenue - Will the real Clontarf please stand up? Most likely it's a home and away thing, and bearing in mind Dungannon's less than exceptional away form, this could be close. David Moore is Clontarf's likely replacement for suspended Kiwi lock Ben Gissing. Dungannon are without Paddy Johns and the highly-influential Tony McWhirter, yet are content to leave Justin Fitzpatrick on the bench. However, they welcome back the Bells, Jonathan and Stephen, and the latter's partnership with David Humphreys may give Dungannon a controlling edge.

Odds: 2/1 Clontarf, 20/1 Draw, 4/11 Dungannon. (Handicap odds=Clontarf + 8pts) 10/11 Clontarf, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Dungannon.

Last three seasons: Dungannon 47 Clontarf 12; didn't meet; Clontarf 13 Dungannon 25.

Referee: Olan Trevor (IRFU).

Forecast: Dungannon to win.

Shannon v Terenure College, Thomond Park - Potential match of the day between two top four contenders and an interesting test of Terenure's mental strength. They are chasing a rare three-in-a-row over Shannon, which of course makes a 'Nure win less likely. Nevertheless, they are well organised, settled, going well and at full-strength, save for Dermot Blaney replacing the missing Eric Miller. Shannon are without Peter Stringer, John Hayes and Anthony Foley, but will have the inspirational Mick Galwey back alongside John Langford, with Brian Buckley switching to the back-row. They blood Hayes' younger brother Mike and Colm Tucker (son of) in an experienced frontrow. Terenure look to have more potency in the backs and can call in Kevin Putt.

Odds: 4/5 Shannon, 16/1 Draw, 1/1 Terenure. (Handicap odds=Terenure + 2pts) 10/11 Shannon, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Terenure.

Last three seasons: Terenure 17 Shannon 19; Shannon 8 Terenure 27; Terenure 12 Shannon 10.

Referee: Dave McHugh (IRFU).

Forecast: Terenure to win.

Galwegians v DLSP, Glenina - Galwegians, buoyed by two gutsy two-point wins, have Willie Ruane available again but must check on Tim Allnutt. They face a DLSP side whose chances of springing a surprise largely depend on Shane Stephens' late fitness test, while Kent Ashmore's work commitments and Des Dobson's shoulder injury could create a problem at loose-head.

Odds: 1/7 Galwegians, 20/1 Draw, 4/1 DLSP. (Handicap odds=DLSP +14pts) 10/11 Galwegians, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 DLSP.

Last three seasons: DLSP 15 Galwegians 22; didn't meet; didn't meet.

Referee: Gareth Doyle (IRFU).

Forecast: Galwegians to win.

Lansdowne v Young Munster, Lansdowne Road - With Reggie Corrigan and Shane Horgan still sidelined, Lansdowne make three enforced changes up front due to injuries to Graham Quinn, Stephen Rooney and Liam Toland. But back comes Brian Cusack and the talented Aidan McCullen, while there is a debut for Eoin Collins at open-side. Scrum-half David O'Mahony also returns, which could benefit Mark Woods. Offsetting Mike Mullins' absence, Eamonn Buckley returns at out-half, Mick Lynch moves to centre in a reshuffled back-line, while Munsters' await Union clearance on South African Mark Farr to replace unavailable PJ McLoughlin in the absence of Peter Clohessy. Lansdowne's organisation, stronger scrum and greater cutting edge may shade it.

Odds: 4/11 Lansdowne, 20/1 Draw, 2/1 Young Munster. (Handicap odds=Young Munster + 8pts) 10/11 Lansdowne, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Young Munster.

Last three seasons: Lansdowne 9 Young Munster 16; Young Munster 8 Lansdowne 3; Lansdowne 55 Young Munster 0.

Referee: Alan Lewis (IRFU).

Forecast: Lansdowne to win.

Cork Constitution v Buccaneers, Temple Hill - Conor Mahony partners Brian O'Meara and Ronan O'Donovan returns to midfield (as does winger Anthony Horgan) in the absence of Ronan O'Gara. Craig Brownlie and Colm Rigney exchange positions in the Buccs pack, with the backline still to be finalised. Con's superior-looking backline and proven home form - 12 wins on the spin going back over two years, as against Buccs' relative travails on their travels - makes them strong favourites.

Odds: 1/7 Cork Con, 20/1 Draw, 4/1 Buccs. (Handicap odds=Buccs + 14pts) 10/11 Cork Con, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Buccs.

Last three seasons: Didn't meet; Cork Con 32 Buccs 25 (+ s/f Cork Con 32 Buccs 20); Buccs 28 Cork Con 15.

Referee: Tony Redmond (IRFU).

Forecast: Cork Con to win.

Old Crescent v Garryowen, Rosbrien, Sunday - Whereas Crescent leave a winning team alone, Garryowen face into their third successive Munster derby by making four changes, Kevin Hartigan moving to the centre and David Heaton starting on the wing, with Niall Hartigan, Fergus Costello and David Wallace returning to the pack as Shane Leahy drops to the bench in view of an impending break for business reasons.

Odds: 10/11 Old Crescent, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Garryowen.

Last three seasons: Garryowen 34 Old Crescent 13; didn't meet; didn't meet.

Referee: Alain Rolland (IRFU).

Forecast: Old Crescent to win.

Division Two

UCC v UCD, Mardyke Grounds - Hammering at Carlow may have been UCD's wake-up call judging by the controlled superiority and hunger of the win over Dolphin and they have scored more freely. Even so, their Cork counterparts have won their two games to date.

Last two seasons: didn't meet, UCD 12 UCC 8.

Referee: Andrew Baird (Leinster).

Forecast: UCD to win.

Sunday's Well v City of Derry, Musgrave Park - Though winless and bottom, Derry actually matched their opponents try for try in each of their three games and their draw with joint leaders Belvo last week shows how competitive this division remains. Even so, the Well have scored handsomely in winning both home games.

Last two seasons: City of Derry 11 Sunday's Well 16; Sunday's Well 18 City of Derry 17.

Referee: Conor Brannigan (Leinster). Forecast: The Well to win.

Malone v UL/Bohemians, Gibson Park - The newly amalgamated, newly promoted Limerick club appear to retain that post-promotion buzz about them and seem set to hold their own in this flight a tad more comfortably than a struggling Malone outfit.

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

Referee: Donal Courtney (IRFU).

Forecast: UL/Bohs to win.

Old Belvedere v Dolphin, Anglesea Road - Andy Dunne (37 points in his last two outings) seems to be a barometer of this burgeoning young Old Belvedere side and his good vein of form augurs well for the division's only unbeaten side.

Last two seasons: Dolphin 8 Old Belvedere 5; Dolphin 13 Old Belvedere 18.

Referee: Paul Eakin (IRFU).

Forecast: Old Belvedere to win.

Greystones v Midleton, Dr Hickey Park - An open, free-flowing try feast would probably suit Greystones more than a tight, lowscoring game, which newly promoted Midleton (three wins in a row) have proved adept in. The tries dried up for Greystones last week in losing at Wesley, having scored at least four in their opening three games.

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

Referee: Marshal Kilgore (IRFU).

Forecast: Greystones to win.

Ballynahinch v Old Wesley, Ballymacarn Park - Neither side have been particularly fluid and changes in the form guide last week hint at another close meeting.

Last two seasons: Ballynahinch 14 Old Wesley 12; Ballynahinch 17 Old Wesley 15

Referee: Simon McDowell (IRFU).

Forecast: Ballynahinch to win.

Bective Rangers v Carlow, Donnybrook - Carlow will assuredly react to Midleton bringing them down to earth last week but a remodelled Bective, with their infusion of ex-Mary's men, have started solidly enough, and home advantage could tilt it.

Last two seasons: Didn't meet; didn't meet.

Referee: Mark Orr (Ulster).

Forecast: Bective to win.

Portadown v Wanderers, Chambers Park - Portadown have rediscovered their home form, with successive wins at Chambers Park, whereas last week's defeat at home to Bective was Wanderers' worst of the season.

Last two seasons: Wanderers 26 Portadown 12; Portadown 12 Wanderers 33.

Referee: Leo Mayne (Munster).

Forecast: Portadown to win.