Division Two

With Carlow and UCD stepping up to Division One this year, Old Belvedere and Bective , who chased both sides to the wire, are hoping that this will be their season. Things don't work out that simply, and Belfast Harlequins and Old Crescent step down to make the division every bit as difficult for those clubs who perished at the tape. Both relegated sides will be making a concerted effort to head back to the top flight on the rebound.

Consequently a number of clubs have recruited well, with quite an exodus from Ballymena's northern base to the south of the county in Belfast. Andre Bester, the South African coach to Ballymena for the past number of years, has chosen Belfast Harlequins for this year's campaign and has brought some players with him. Second row Cois Beukes, outhalf Ajay Derwin and Ulster scrumhalf Neil Doak all make the move with flanker Andre Dougan.

Old Crescent, who will vie with Thomond and UL Bohemians for Limerick supremacy, have engaged in a less frenzied acquisition of players, but Sunday's Well have former Irish coach Murray Kidd on board and, it appears, several of his family in centre Sam from Highfield and hooker Ben from UCC.

Sunday's Well were a disappointment last season, finishing fifth from the bottom. Kidd will bring credibility to the clubs' aspirations and that alone should move them up the ladder, if not immediately into contention for league honours.

UL Bohemians, fifth last year, have second row Kenny Barry from Bracknell, full back Karl Gilligan from Queensland University and wing forward Pat Fitzgerald, who played with Wanderers last season. Added to their home-grown crew, they will not make the mistakes of last year, namely losing to Greystones, Malone and Old Wesley in the latter quarter of those games.

Old Belvedere's defeat by UCC last season cost them dearly in the end. Another club with a young squad, they have had some good results in the Leinster League but that's no indication. Still, with their vigorous under age programme and Australian exchange system the Dublin side should, with the heavily recruiting Bective Rangers, also be contenders.

Last season's promoted sides Barnhall and Thomond will tread carefully, but typically plan to show why they ran off with last year's Division Three. Thomond finished 12 points ahead of third placed Trinity and Barnhall seven points the better of the students.

Barnhall, particularly, have been active over the close season. Ireland and Leinster's Trevor Brennan makes a return to home territory having led St Mary's College to an All-Ireland League title two seasons ago. Although Brennan, as a contracted player, will be largely unavailable, his leadership and drive will provide impetus.

Wanderers, who ended mid-table, have looked to relegated Old Wesley and promoted UCD for player strength. Most notably, however, Clontarf's Shane McEntee makes the move across the Liffey.

Prediction: Belfast Harlequins and UL Bohemians for promotion.

Division Three

Few who travel to The Monastery Ground on the outskirts of Clifden, Co Galway, this season will stop to admire the surrounding beauty. Uniquely placed 50 miles beyond Galway City, the debutants to All-Ireland League rugby are about to offer something new to the competition and to the meaning of "away matches".

Whenever Galway turn out in the Intermediate Gaelic Football championship, so too do most of the Connemara rugby team. This is a team of the community with quite a rich vein of talent.

Outhalf Mark Foyle played with Buccaneers last season while David Keogh is an exciting number nine. Centre Donal Nee from Roundstone has to bear the weight of being a cousin of Irish captain Keith Wood, but has played for the Irish youth side, while Henry O'Toole at full back lends considerable experience to a side just relishing the challenge.

More centrally, Dublin University will hope to be among the top contending teams. although they've had mixed results so far this season. Nine players have left, but Ulster schools' Dave Johnston and wingers Alan Jackson and Alistair Howell from Old Wesley have come in, along with Blackrock centre Shane Kelly. Typically the balance will favour youth while experience is limited, particularly when facing the likes of Greystones (who have nabbed kicker Richie Murphy from Clontarf), Skerries and Naas.

Naas, who finished fifth last season, will look to former Lansdowne captain and Irish under-21 Colin McEntee to lend some experience to the side. As a Regional Development Officer, McEntee's input generally should also help the club. Ross Murphy, brother of Irish winger Geordan, also moves from Blackrock.

Skerries also pressed last year and have added a number of players to the squad over the summer. The best defensive record last year (193 points against), they too will be rumbling at the finish.

Prediction: Naas and Skerries for promotion.