Apart from the heralded top-four senior league matches in Leinster - Corinthians (3rd) v Pembroke (2nd) and Monkstown (4th) v Glenanne (1st) - as well as a Banbridge v Instonians clash in Ulster, the focus this weekend is on the youth interprovincial championships at Blaris.

Indications are that Munster will defend their under-18 title resolutely with Ashton continuing to supply a sturdy vein through David Hobbs, John Jermyn and ace set-piece marksman Rory Heaslip. Leinster, though, have been maturing steadily and Derek O'Gorman, having led Kilkenny to the All-Ireland schools' laurels, will be aiming for further success, aided notably by Eamonn Bane of Aer Lingus and Andrew Walker (Wesley/YMCA).

Ulster, however, can never be under-estimated with Jonathan Quigley, Ian Hamilton and Aaron Mills being well capable of plundering southern defences.