Apart from gaining prestige, the under-21 interprovincial tournament at Garryduff this weekend offers the wider opportunity of playing for Ireland in the European Junior Championship A division in Malaga (Costa del Sol) in July, preceded by the defence of the Celtic Cup in Tours (Loire Valley) at the end of July.

Winning the interprovincial title ought to yield the strongest representation in the Irish squad. Ironically, Leinster may not be as dominant as they have been in the past couple of seasons, particularly with Justin Sherriff being absent on this occasion and Graham Shaw over-age. But senior international Stephen Butler will have a mature influence on the proceedings, with Richard Beere, Will Powderly and Cliff Bailey also playing key roles.

Munster can count on Padua `veterans' Andrew Chambers and Mark Black to buttress their challenge, aided by Karl Burns at the back, with Dave Eakins as the most menacing marksman. Ulster are bound to be lively in midfield through Anthony Lewis and Michael Harte while Stephen Reid and Chris Barnes are among those with attacking flair to test southern defences. The Universities may be mostly on the back foot against players of first-division calibre, keeping goalkeeper Shane Davey especially busy. Three Rock Rovers will miss him in tomorrow's Leinster league match against Pembroke Wanderers at Grange Road. Conversely, Pembroke will be anxious that Nigel Henderson keeps fully fit (as brother Charlie is in Cork).