AIL/Preview

Today

First Division

Terenure v St Mary's, Lakelands Park (3.30)

Overshadowed somewhat by the events at Thomond Park but still one of the most attractive club fixtures of the season, especially as the sides occupy the top two places.

St Mary's scored a rare win in this fixture last season, largely through their physical pressure and Terenure's surfeit of turnovers, but Gerry Murphy's side are a much-improved if still enigmatic outfit this season. They are also unchanged whereas Brent Pope has recalled Ian Bloomer for Peter Sullivan in the secondrow and has reverted to Mark McHugh at outhalf and recalled Ray McIlreavy in the centre. But these changes are not guaranteed to release their under-served outside three. Likely to be only a score in it as usual.

Last two seasons: Terenure 18, St Mary's 12; St Mary's 19, Terenure 13.

Last five games: Terenure - L W W L W. St Mary's - W L L W W.

Leading try scorers: Terenure - Richard Governey 3. St Mary's - John McWeeney 7.

Leading points scorers: Terenure - David Lynagh 85. St Mary's - Mark McHugh 77.

Forecast: Terenure to win.

Clontarf v DLSP, Castle Avenue (3.00).

Clontarf recall winger Darragh McElligott and flanker Dave Walsh while promoting under-20 prop Dermot Kennelly. A comparatively settled DLSP recall fit-again Eddie Devitt at full back. Clontarf's need is greater, imperative really, as victory for Phil Werahiko's team would copper-fasten their place in the top flight and almost certainly send Clontarf to the play-off. On a recent line through St Mary's, DLSP look to have more flair if less prolific goalkicking.

Last two seasons: Didn't meet.

Last five games: Clontarf - L L W L L. DLSP - L L W W L.

Leading try scorers: Clontarf - Ronan O'Reilly 2. DLSP - John Corr 3.

Leading points scorers: Clontarf - Richie Murphy 73. DLSP - Mark Kavanagh 19.

Forecast: DLSP to win.

Division Two

Brian O'Driscoll is due to return to the Blackrock College starting line-up at Anglesea Road (kick-off 3.0) as they seek to maintain their 100 per cent record and in doing so return to the

top of the table. Similarly, Galwegians can maintain their strong push for promotion with a fourth successive win at home to Sunday's Well (kick-off 3.00) and thus move into third place above UCD, while Belfast Harlequins can move alongside fifth-placed City of Derry by beating UCC at Deramore Park, or even move into the play-off place were they to secure a bonus point.

Naas will be strongly fancied to win the Junior League qualifiers by recording a third win out of three away to hitherto pointless Coleraine, leaving Bruff and Connemara to fight it out for second place.

The Irish schools' team will be seeking to emulate last week's fine win away to England when taking on their French counterparts in Tarbes this evening, while the final of the inaugural Millennium J1 Cup between Ballymena and Greystones will take place at Lansdowne Road today (3.30). Tomorrow, DLSP will host an under-15 international tournament at Kilternan featuring teams from England, Wales and the US.