Dungannon's position is invidious. Fail to win the AIB League Division Two this season and they will become a laughing stock, scatter all before them and they will gather the plaudits normally afforded a schoolyard bully.

The influx of internationals returning from England to Stevenson Park, in the guise of David Humphreys, Jonathan Bell, Mark McCall, Justin Fitzpatrick and Allen Clarke would ordinarily make the Ulster club strong contenders for a position in the Divison One playoffs, let alone odds on favourites to romp home in Division Two.

Coach Willie Anderson gingerly suggests that the expectation is considerable but merely identifies promotion as the ultimate arbitor of a successful season. To his credit he not only wants to win but do so in a manner that develops his charges and entertains those who come to watch.

Dungannon should manage an attractive brand of rugby. Anderson may also call upon some excellent young players, notably Australian Under-21 international Gerard Heaney, who arrived recently from New South Wales, and former Irish Schools internationals, flanker Andrew Hughes and prop Nigel Brady.

Anderson conceded: "We have an excellent squad and it is now a question of fusing the sum of the individual talents into a winning style of play. The players returning from England will provide experience and ability while we have some good young players coming through.

"Preparations have not been ideal given some players commitments at provincial level so it may take a little time for things to gel." The rest of the division will fervently hope so. Two Munster sides, Old Crescent and Sunday's Well seem best equipped to muster the most serious threat.

Crescent have recalled old boys from several clubs around Limerick, notably out-half Stephen Tuohy and wing Sean Madigan. The departure of Liam Toland and Dara Kirby will be keenly felt but one suspects that they have the nucleus of a competitive team and that they will return to the 15 man rugby for which they were once celebrated.

Sunday's Well have appointed another New Zealander in succession to Murray Kidd, player/coach Ian Calder. He will direct affairs at outhalf and marshall a cosmopolitan backline. They boast a solid eight with Jim Cutriss and Greg Tuohy crucial performers.

The temptation would then be to toss the remaining 13 clubs high in the air and wherever the fell would act as a guide to their fortunes this season. In an overcrowded division predictions are far from an exact science.

DLSP and Skerries are both noted for making Kilternan and Holmpatrick respectively most unwelcome for visitors: how their form on the road takes shape will decide the substance of their challenges.

Old Belvedere, Greystones and Bective Rangers may make consolidation a priority. Wanderers would like to do so but might fail. UCC have been touted as surprise packages, primarily because they have lost virtually none of last year's team that finished fifth. A great deal will be expected of Munster duo Peter Stringer and Mick O'Driscoll, under the captaincy of Adrian O'Shea.

Ulster's best should be provided by City of Derry but the upwardly mobile Portadown will fancy continuing their climb up the divisions.