Young Munster v Blackrock (Clifford Park)

Munsters will have derived much confidence in going toe-to toe with Cork Constitution and Shannon either side of the enforced interlude, but they need to win to stay in touch with the top four. The return of regular dartsman Bevan Cantrell should improve their lineout, while Mark Connolly is on the bench. David Quinlan makes his first start in 'Rock's midfield. Their solid defence has been a foundation for useful away form and this looks like being a tight one with only a score in it.

Last three seasons: 1999/2000 - No correspon ding fixture. 1998/1999 - Blackrock 10 Young Munster 3. 1997/1998 - Young Munster 26 Blackrock 16.

Five-game formguide (most recent on right): Young Munster - WWWLL. Blackrock - LLWDW.

Leading try scorers: Young Munster - Mark Connolly, Mike Mullins (two each). Blackrock - Gary Browne (two). Leading points scorers: Young Munster - Mike Lynch (49). Blackrock - Alan McGowan (76).

Referee: Olan Trevor (IRFU).

Betting (all courtesy of Paddy Power): 1/2 Young

Munster, 16/1 Draw, 6/4 Blackrock. Handicap odds (= Blackrock + 6pts) 10/11 Young Munster, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Blackrock.

Forecast: Young Munster to win. Clontarf V Old Crescent (Castle Avenue)

Clontarf have responded to losing their unbeaten home record (against St Mary's) by bringing in ex-Irish schools openside Andy Cullen, with Declan Quinn moving to the bench. For Old Crescent, winger Jay Cusack is ruled out and Des Clohessy makes a return. It's possible that Rhys Ellison could make his Crescent debut alongside Wayne Munn, with a recall for Ian Bloomer. Clontarf's more settled look and home advantage could give them an edge.

Last three Seasons: 1999/2000 - No corresponding fixture. 1998/1999 - No corresponding fixture. 1997/1998 - Clontarf 11 Old Crescent 8.

Five-game formguide: Clontarf - LLWLL. Old Crescent - LWLLL.

Leading try scorers: Clontarf - Bobby Baggott (three). Old Crescent - Billy Treacy (50).

Leading points scorers: Clontarf - Richie Murphy (67). Old Crescent - Wayne Munn 3.

Referee: Gareth Doyle (IRFU).

Betting: 8/15 Clontarf, 16/1 Draw, 11/8 Old Crescent. Handicap odds (= Old Crescent + 5pts) 10/11 Clontarf, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Old Crescent.

Forecast: Clontarf to win.

Buccaneers v Belfast Harlequins (Ericcson Park)

Buccaneers' late win against Ballymena last week will have added to the feel-good factor in the midlands and this game offers them a real chance of three wins out of three. Accordingly, Darren Yapp will start at centre and Greg Austin at will replace Colm Glynn at outhalf in a reprise of last week's end-game. Harlequins, again without Andy Matchett, recall Andy Park on the wing for John Lowe. Presuming there's no complacency, this could be too hot for the visitors.

Last three seasons: No corresponding fixtures.

Five-game formguide: Buccaneers - LLLWW. Belfast Harlequins - WLLLL.

Leading try scorers: Buccaneers - Mattie Walker (three). Buccaneers - - Robin Morrow (three). Leading points scorers: Buccaneers - Eamonn Molloy (50) Belfast Harlequins - Paul Hancock 26.

Referee: Leo Mayne (IRFU).

Betting: 1/3 Buccaneers, 16/1 Draw, 9/4 Bel foast Harlequins. Handicap odds (= Belfast Harlequins + 8pts) 10/11 Buccaneers, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Belfast Harlequins.

Forecast: Buccaneers to win.

Shannon v Galwegians (Thomond Park, ( 2.0)

John Kingston, shrewdly perhaps, has responded to last week's first defeat of the season (9-7 at Lansdowne) by naming an unchanged team. Neither Mick Galwey (leg infection) or Anthony Foley (strained medial ligament) happen to be available for Shannon after being left on the bench last week. Too coincidental? It means just three changes, with Jason Hughes replacing the injured John O'Neill (back), Marcus Horan returning to the front row and Redmond Collins replacing the unlucky Alan Quinlan. A more settled Galwegians have a better chance.

Last three seasons: 1999/2000 - No correspon ding fixture. 1998/1999 - Shannon 31 Galwegians 3. 1997/1998 - No corresponding fixture.

Five-game formguide: Shannon - WWLDW. Galwegians - WWWWL.

Leading try scorers: Shannon - John Lacey (five), John O'Neill, Marcus Horan, Mossie Lawlor (three each). Galwegians - Gavin Duffy (five), Tim Allnutt, Willie Ruane (four each).

Leading points scorers: Shannon - Andrew Thompson (67). Galwegians - Eric Elwood (89).

Referee: Dave Tyndall (IRFU).

1/2 Shannon, 16/1 Draw, 6/4 Galwegians. Handicap betting (= Galwegians + 6 pts) 10/11 Shannon, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Gawlegians.

Forecast: Galwegians to win.

Dungannon v DLSP (Stevenson Park)

Now with a full armoury, Dungannon have the potential to make a push for the top four. They replace the injured Andrew Hughes with Michael Haslett, while Rowen Frost's return offsets the loss of Kenny Wheelock from the second row. Simon O'Donnell, normally a hooker, replaces Bruce Wood (broken thumb) in the back row.

Last three seasons: 1999/2000 - Dungannon 33 DLSP 16. 1998/1999 - DLSP 13 Dungannon 20. 1997/1998: No corresponding fixture.

Five-game formguide: Dungannon - LWLDW. DLSP - LWLWL.

Leading try scorers: Dungannon - Bryn Cunningham, Richard Mackey (two each). DLSP - Mihai Vioreanu, Eddie Devitt (three each).

Leading points scorers: Dungannon - David Humphreys (93). DLSP - Damien McCabe (32). Referee: Bertie Smith (IRFU).

Betting: 1/8 Dungannon, 16/1 draw, 9/2 DLSP. Handicap odds (= DLSP + 16pts) 10/11 Dungannon, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 DLSP.

Forecast: Dungannon to win.

Lansdowne v Ballymena (Lansdowne Road)

Stanley McDowell returns at full back for Dungannon with James Topping reverting to the wing in an otherwise unchanged team.

Lansdowne's Mark Woods is recalled for the absent Paul Barry, which should improve their midfield potency.

Last three years: 1999/2000 - Ballymena 20 Lansdowne 25. 1998/1999 - Lansdowne 25 Ballymena 24. 1997/1998: Ballymena 31 Lansdowne 20.

Five-game formguide: Lansdowne - LLLDW. Ballymena - WDLWL.

Leading try scorers: Lansdowne - Lorcan O'Brien, Aidan McCullen (two each). Ballymena - Russell Nelson, Shane Stewart (four each). Leading points scorers: Lansdowne - David Quigley 43. Ballymena - Neil Doak 52.

Referee: Alan Lewis (IRFU).

Betting: 5/4 Lansdowne, 16/1 Draw, 4/7 Ballymena. Handicap odds (= Lansdowne + 4pts) 10/11 Lansdowne, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Ballymena.

Forecast: Lansdowne to win.

Terenure College v Garryowen (Lakelands Park)

Garryowen make three changes, Fergus Costelloe for Ross Leahy in the second row, flanker Conor Hartigan for Colin Varley and Kevin O'Riordan making a first start on the wing with Kevin Hartigan reverting to the bench. Kevin Putt recalls Derek Hegarty at his own expense, and reshuffles the back line, with Michael Smyth returning to midfield, Richard Governey moving to outhalf and Shane Cullen to wing.

Last three seasons: 1999/2000 - Garryowen 38 Terenure 14, 1998/1999 - Terenure 6 Garryowen 20, 1997/1998 - Garryowen 38 Terenure 26.

Five-game formguide: Terenure - LLWLW. Garryowen - WDWDW.

Leading try scorers: Terenure - David Coleman (four). Garryowen - Jeremy Staunton (two).

Leading points scorers: Terenure - Shane Cullen (66). Garryowen - Jeremy Staunton (79).

Referee: Dave McHugh (IRFU).

Betting: 8/15 Terenure, 16/1 Draw, 11/8 Garryowen. Handicap odds (= Garryowen + 5pts) 10/11 Terenure, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Garryowen.

Forecast: Terenure to win.

Cork Constitution v St Mary's (Temple Hill)

The champions could be without Peter McKenna and Eddie Hekenui, whereas the leaders should welcome back Mick O'Driscoll and are only missing Anthony Horgan. A win is by no means beyond St Mary's, and the forward collision should be immense. However, Con's greater class at outhalf may hold sway.

Last three seasons: 1999/2000 - St Mary's 42 Cork Con 3. 1998/1999 - Cork Con 38 St Mary's 0. 1997/1998 - St Mary's 38 Cork Con 23.

Five-game formguide: Cork Con - WWWWL. St Mary's - WWLDW.

Leading try scorers: Cork Con - Craig Taylor (four). St Mary's - Peter McKenna (two).

Leading points scorers: Cork Con - Brian O'Meara (69). St Mary's - Mark McHugh (45).

Referee: Donal Courtney (IRFU).

Betting: 4/9 Cork Con, 16/1 Draw, 13/8 St Mary's. Handicap betting (= St Mary's + 6pts) 10/11 Cork Con, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 St Mary's.

Forecast: Cork Con to win.

Division Two

Malone v UCC (Gibson Park)

The Cork students seem to be taking a somewhat relaxed view of the league. Malone, by contrast, are ticking over and have the division's most priceless commodity - home advantage.

Last two seasons: 1999/2000 - Malone 23 UCC 15. 1998/1999 - UCC 8 Malone 8.

Five-game formguide: Malone - LWLLW. UCC - LWLLL.

Referee: David Keane (IRFU).

Forecast: Malone to win.

UCD v City of Derry

UCD have their destiny in their own hands with three of their last four games at home to the bottom three. Derry are fighting for their lives, have games in hand and have been nobody's soft touch. Still, UCD are the division's form team.

Last two seasons: 1999/2000 - City of Derry 20 UCD 30. 1998/1999 - No corresponding fixture.

Five-game formguide: UCD - WWWWW. City of Derry - LLLLW.

Referee: Dermot Moloney (Munster).

Forecast: UCD to win.

Dolphin v UL Bohemians (Musgrave Park)

Two clubs who have kept their form despite having little to play for, though Dolphin have been scoring the more freely.

Last two seasons: No corresponding fixtures.

Five-game formguide: Dolphin - DWWWW. UL Bohemians - WWWLW.

Referee: Alastair McGowan (Ulster).

Forecast: Dolphin to win.

Old Belvedere v Sunday's Well (Anglesea Rd)

Old Belvedere can almost reach out and touch the first division now, and with UCC (away) and Greystones (home) to come, know that three wins and a couple of bonus points will guarantee them promotion. Even without Andy Dunne, that's a helluva spur against a side who have lost five out of six on the road.

Last two seasons: 1999/2000 - Sunday's Well 24 Old Belvedere 29. 1998/1999 - Old Belvedere 22 Sunday's Well 17.

Five-game formguide: Old Belvedere - WLWWW. Sunday's Well - LWLLW.

Referee: Mark Orr (Ulster).

Forecast: Old Belvedere.

Ballynahinch v Greystones (Ballmacarn Park).

Two clubs whose form has tapered off completely, which is more surprising in Greystones' case as they must be aware that City of Derry (with three games in hand) could yet ensnare them in the relegation trapdoor.

Last two seasons: 1999/2000 - No corresponding fixture. 1998/1999 - Greystones 53 Ballynahinch 10.

Five-game formguide: DLLLW. Greystones - WLLLL.

Referee: Marshall Kilgore (Ulster).

Forecast: Ballynahinch to win.

Midleton v Wanderers (Towns Park)

Earlier this season, when Midleton were beating Carlow and drawing away to UCD while Wanderers were losing four of their first five, this would have looked a home banker but Owen Cobbe's team have steadily improved while Midleton have lost their momentum.

Last two seasons: No corresponding fixtures.

Five-game formguide: Midleton - LLLL Wanderers - WLWWL.

Referee: Allen McDowell (Ulster).

Forecast: Wanderers to win.

Carlow v Old Wesley (Oakpark)

A cruel end to Carlow's six-match winning streak with the last kick away to UL Bohs last week leaves them needing a slip-up by either UCD or Belvo. Poor old Wesley are in the way, and after one point from their last six outings, know that another blank day coupled with even a bonus point for Greystones will mathematically confirm relegation.

Last two seasons: 1999/2000 - Old Wesley 6 Carlow 26, 1998/1999 - No corresponding fixture. didn't meet.

Five-game formguide: Carlow - WWWWL. Old Wesley - LLLLL.

Referee: Alan Rowe (Connacht).

Forecast: Carlow to win.

Bective Rangers v Portadown (Donnybrook)

Last week's setback away to Sunday's Well has assuredly put paid to Bective's promotion hopes. Although Portadown have won on their previous trip to Donnybrook, that win against Wesley remains their only away success,

Last two seasons: 1999/2000 - Portadown 10 Bective 18. 1998/1999 - Bective 19 Portadown 17.

Five-game formguide: Bective - LWWWL. Portadown - LWWLL.

Referee: Paul Eakin (IRFU).

Forecast: Bective to win.