Today

Division One

Old Crescent v Dolphin

Old Crescent possibly aren't as bad as their position suggests; Dolphin possibly not as good. Despite two 50-point leakages against Shannon and Lansdowne, when they are charged up by master motivator Jed O'Dwyer Crescent can be amongst the most committed and organised tacklers around, especially in their two games at Rosbrien where they pushed Cork Constitution and beat Ballymena. They could win a low-scoring game.

Dungannon v Old Belvedere

Old Belvedere astonished the rugby fraternity with their win over Terenure last week, perhaps proving all along that they were better employed with an overseas forward - player-coach Stephen Dods inspiring them more in patches than the injured out-half Rob Rein. Still, repeating the trick would be a tall order, even against a misfiring Dungannon who will be keen to take up where they left off after a slow start in Dolphin last week. Dungannon to win.

Terenure v Blackrock

For all their flaws and inconsistencies all-Dublin affairs can be amongst the most entertaining and this could prove the case today. Despite serious rivalry from schooldays the teams are usually well versed and so little trouble for referees. Both have wrung the changes and Blackrock appear to have an edge in pace, but Terenure could be the sorer after last week. They invariably up their game for St Mary's and Blackrock.

Shannon v Ballymena

Ballymena expect to welcome back Stephen Ritchie, thus reverting to a first-choice XV for the fifth time in eight games. Shannon await a late fitness test on Anthony Foley, who should play. In Ballymena's one previous visit to Limerick they were amazingly unhinged by Old Crescent. That strengthens the suspicion that when Plan A fails they don't have a Plan B (although McDowell and Toppin are in a rich vein of form). Roared on by a big Thomond crowd, Shannon's fringe defenders will surely be committed to putting their heads on the (gain) line and drive the Ballymena runners back. There is also the likely reaction to last week's defeat. Shannon to win.

Clontarf v Garryowen

Clontarf anxiously await fitness tests on Pat Ward, Alan Duignan and Peter McQuillan. Garryowen are unchanged, with Gavin Walsh overcoming his hamstring strain. It is a measure of the irreverent northsiders' progress that they go into this game with a real chance, having earned Limerick respect in their opening three jousts. No disrespect in rattling Ballymena's cage last week either. But Garryowen may have too many individual big guns for them in the dynamic David Wallace, Stephen McIvor, Barry Everitt, Killian Keane and Dominic Crotty.

Cork Constitution v Lansdowne

Injury-plagued Cork Constitution are resigned to being without Anthony Horgan and the influential Ultan O'Callaghan, though Philip Soden returns for Ian Murray, while John Kelly and Roger Newell are also back. Timely boosts, though Lansdowne had the bigger one in beating Shannon. A very hard one to call, and may decide which of them can push for the top four. Lansdowne to shade it.

St Mary's v Young Munster

The loss of Peter Clohessy is a big one for Young Munster for so much travels through him off the rucks, aside from his impact in the scrums. With Declan Edwards still sidelined, they're not exactly over-endowed with heavy hitters and their unusually lofty early standing has been founded on home wins over Clontarf, Old Belvedere and Blackrock. Peter Sullivan deputises for the injured Frank Fitzgerald in the St Mary's second-row, with Mark Reilly moving to number six. St Mary's are fitful, but old scores dating back to 1993 should mean they are up for this. Then again, so should Young Munster, but home advantage looks a big factor. Mary's to win.

Division Two

Sunday's Well v Greystones

Three successive defeats have exposed youthful Greystones' limitations. Sunday's Well have been scratching a few wins through the boot of Eddie Hogan-O'Connell and still look the most credible challengers to the two Connacht pacesetters. Home win.

City Of Derry v Malone

Three wins out of four make Derry one of the form sides in this division after a sluggish start. They targeted January as a potentially sizeable haul and, with their rugged pack and ability to score from afar, this is another winnable one.

UCC v Monkstown

Monkstown are in something of a worrying freefall with three successive defeats leaving them rooted to the foot of the table. Last week's respite may not have done a sprightly UCC any harm after their Connacht double whammy and they ought to have too much pace and running power out wide for Monkstown.

Bective Rangers v Old Wesley

Remarkably, the first AIL meeting between these Donnybrook neighbours and rivals. Bective appear to have turned the corner and with the pitches improving could continue their climb. The pack is beginning to motor while Bryn Cunningham and Dave Assenheim (41 points in two games) are hitting good form. The selection of Navan's Fergal McGurk and winger Dave Wall strengthens their hand. Bective to make it three in a row.

Buccaneers v Skerries

This could be bad timing for Skerries, presuming Buccaneers are still smarting from last week. Martin Whelehan's return leaves them at full strength. Skerries will be a tough nut to crack and rarely concede points heavily, but they are not particularly good travellers (losing all three away games this season). Buccaneers to win.

Galwegians v Instonians

It so often happens that the winners of a top-of-the-table head-to-head suffer a relapse and go out and lost the following week. In a way this game, more than last week's, will tell us whether Galwegians have the gumption as well as the class to be divisional winners. Last week will actually have done them good and when focussed they're just too good for the chasing pack.

DLSP v Wanderers

Indicative of the division, the formguide suggests there mightn't be much between them. Eric Olazabal is finding his feet but Dermot Finnegan's injury deprives Wanderers of pace out wide - centre Gary Brennan moves out - although the return of Jonathan Garth adds to the footballing quotient. DLSP's Kiwi ruggedness up front and the Kilternan high altitude may shade it.