GARRYOWEN, in second place two points behind the leaders Shannon in the first division of the Insurance Corporation All Ireland league and with two matches to play, hope to field the side that has won the last two games for the visit of St Mary's to Dooradoyle on Saturday. Wins over Cork Constitution and Lansdowne, both away, are reflected in the unchanged Garryowen side.
In contrast, St Marys' whose league hopes have gone after defeat by Young Munster and a draw with Lansdowne, have made three changes behind the scrum and one of the casualties is international centre Vincent Cunningham. He is omitted and in his place David Lyons will make his league debut. Wing Arthur McEvoy and scrum half Conor McGuinness have also been dropped. They are replaced by Gary Lavin and Philip Lynch respectively.
Young Munster entertain Old, Wesley and will be without scrum half Derek Tobin, who has a fractured thumb, and that could mean that Tobin will miss the Munster Cup tie against Garryowen in a few weeks time as well as the crucial league match against the same club on Saturday week. John Moloney deputises for Tobin this weekend and there is also a doubt about flanker Ger Earls, who has a shoulder injury.
Old Wesley have moved Stuart, Wilson to full back from out side half as Niall Farren is not available and that means a return for Adrian Hawe at out half. John Feehan returns at prop.
Lansdowne still do not know if Eric Elwood will be fit to play against Ballymena. Elwood, has been troubled by an ankle injury. John Woods stands by to deputise at out half. Also missing will be full back Ray Hennessy and loose head prop Enda Bohan, who are both injured. Peter Devcich moves from wing to fullback and Michael Kearin returns on the wing for his first league game since last October. Alan Reddan resumes in the centre after missing the match last Saturday and Warren O'Kelly takes over from Bohan.
Ballymena will have Mark Beattle at scrum half for Andy Matchett, who has a broken nose. Nick Munce has been chosen off the right wing as James Harley is not available. Sheldon Coulter partners Michael Rainey in the centre.
Old Belvedere will be unchanged against Cork Constitution, who have deferred selection, while Blackrock College, who meet Instonians, have a much changed side from the team that lost to Old Belvedere last Saturday for the home match against Instonians.
Shane Hunt goes to full back from the wing for Blackrock and Ralph Kearns is named on the wing. David Frame partners Donal Connolly in the centre. International prop Paul Wallace and back row Rory Rogers return to the pack.
Instonians have Graham McCluskey back on the wing, so Graham McCausland reverts to full back to the exclusion of Stuart Laing. Rupert West resumes in the second row.
Old Crescent, assured of the second division title, will be without their Ireland A back row Liam Toland for the visit to Sunday Well. Toland has a shoulder injury. Two other casualties are Brian Begley (damaged ankle) and prop Gary Ardeen, who has a broken collarbone. Crescent hope Begley and Toland will be fit for their Munster Cup campaign. Sunday's Well will announce their side today for a match that is scheduled for Sunday.
Wanderers, who play Dolphin, also on Sunday, will have their captain Ronnie Culliton back in their side for the first time since before Christmas. Culliton plays in the second row. His brother Brian takes over at prop from the injured David Coen. Wanderers will not finalise their back line until later in the week.
Malone will have international centre Maurice Field back after a month's absence due to an ankle injury when they travel to Bective Rangers on Saturday. Stuart Duncan moves from flank to number eight for Paul Burns, who has a medial ligament injury that threatens to end his season. Barry Sheridan will play on the flank.
