Young Munster

Hooker Bevan Cantrell and scrumhalf Mike Prendergast (both with calf strain) are again ruled out, but there is a slight chance of full-back Mark Connolly returning to the fray. If not, the likelihood is that Eamonn Buckley and captain Mike Lynch will play in the positions they finished in against Shannon, with Lynch starting at full back.

Blackrock College

Brian O'Driscoll's AIL seasonal reappearance is being put back to give his damage shoulder more rest, though he could return at home to Shannon next Wednesday or Dungannon the following Saturday. Coach Kevin West is hopeful that Gary Halpin, James Ferris and Trevor Hogan will come back into the equation.

Clontarf

Kevin Nowlan, troubled by a virus of late, may be sidelined again for the crucial visit of Old Crescent, though Dave Moore may be fit again and front-row Warren O'Kelly made a long awaited return off the bench last Saturday after an injury-plagued season.

Old Crescent

Gavin Shoeman (groin strain) is still doubtful while winger Jay Cusack (rib injury) is definitely out, and Crescent await a fitness check on Des Clohessy whose shoulder problem confined him to a late cameo last week.

Buccaneers

Simon Allnutt is expected to field an unchanged side after back-to-back wins.

Belfast Harlequins

The bottom-placed club could again be without one of their mainstays, Andy Matchette (ankle strain) for a couple more weeks, though otherwise they should be at full strength.

Shannon

While Alan Quinlan is out for at least a month, Shannon this week plan on playing their other four internationals from the start. This is pending a fitness check on Anthony Foley - a slight doubt with a knee strain - and Peter Stringer, who is expected to recover from the flu problem which again sidelined him from training the last couple of days. Because reserve prop Gary McNamara broke a thumb in training, it is hoped Marcus Horan recovers from the groin strain which ruled him out last week.

Galwegians

"We didn't play," admits John Kingston of his side's first defeat away to Lansdowne last Saturday but, with no injuries to report, he may give a statement of faith in his team.

Dungannon

Promising open-side Andrew Hughes is the only doubt after sustaining a slight shoulder strain in the win over Cork Constitution and if he is fit, Willie Anderson will probably stick with an unchanged side.

DLSP

Lock Kenny Wheelock is definitely out with a nasty facial injury sustained in Dooradoyle last week, while to compound Phil Werahiko's woes, flanker Bruce Wood is out for a month with a broken thumb and primary ball-winner Rowen Frost aggravated his hamstring problem when appearing as a late replacement last Saturday.

Lansdowne

In addition to long-term casualty Aidan McCullen, Shane Horgan (ankle injury) and Dave O'Mahony (blood infection) are out for another two weeks or so, while centre Paul Barry is unavailable this Saturday and Angus McKeen must again be considered very doubtful due to his farming duties and the foot-and-mouth crisis. Against all of that Brian Cusack will be available again.

Ballymena

Stanley McDowell, Scott Young and flanker Andy Graham should all come back into the reckoning after recovering from injuries, which suggests Andre Bester may reshuffle his back row and outside backs in the light of Saturday's disappointing defeat by Buccaneers.

Terenure College

Derek Hegarty should be fit again to return at the expense of coach Kevin Putt, who says: "I'm looking forward to him adding a bit of pace and defensive work-rate. I'm getting too old for this lark." Rory Sherriff is still doubtful although Michael Smyth, James Blaney and Alan Ryan could also be declared fit, to increase the options.

Garryowen

David Wallace remains Garryowen's only definite absentee, while Kevin O'Riordan made a successful seasonal reappearance off the bench last Saturday following his recent return from the UK.

Cork Constitution

All of last Saturday's 22-man squad are injury free while Constitution are hopeful that Mick O'Driscoll especially (who sustained a leg injury in training last Thursday) and Anthony Horgan (out since February 24th with a rib injury) will be back in contention.

St Mary's College

Centre Gareth Gannon is ruled out because of exams but this could be offset by the return of outhalf Eddie Hekenui (who has had back trouble), thereby enabling Mark McHugh to revert to centre, and the return of full back Peter McKenna, so permitting Denis Hickie to move back to the wing.