All-Ireland League Previews: Divisions One and Two

Saturday

Shannon v Dungannon (Thomond Park)

Shannon will give late fitness tests to the triumvirate of Peter Stringer, David Quinlan and Alan Quinlan this morning. Jim Galvin is out with hamstring damage, which means Conor Burke moves to out-half and Maurice Lawlor is in the centre.

Dungannon enjoy less disruption but still face a huge test in the citadel of the four-time champions. The Ulster side will provide a more rounded test than Buccaneers but the result should still be the same.

Form so far: Shannon - L L W. Dungannon - L W W.

Referee: D Courtney (Leinster).

Forecast: Shannon.

Cork Con v Young Munster (Temple Hill).

Constitution could not be in greater disarray as a result of a spiralling injury list. Brian O'Meara, Ronan O'Gara and Brian Walsh are all out. Conor Mahony and Derek Dillon remain doubtful. The only consolation is that the pack is intact.

Munsters are without dual player Finbar Hogan (Bruff), which means a complete reshuffle in the backline: Tom Cregan (left wing), Mike Mullins (fullback) and Mick Lynch (centre) move positions, while Eamon Buckley comes in at out-half. If Con can cobble together a backline then this match is not a foregone conclusion, despite Cregan's boot.

Form so far: Cork Constitution - L W L. Young Munster W W W.

Referee: T Redmond (Leinster).

Forecast: Young Munster.

DLSP v Garryowen (Kilternan)

Garryowen have switched Jeremy Staunton to the centre to provide greater penetration through the middle. Killian Keane moves to out-half. No Keith Wood - Pat Humphreys deputises - but David Wallace has recovered from a dead leg. Rob Laffan is preferred to Connie Botha at tighthead.

DLSP dropped out-half Dave O'Riordan after his kicking problems of last week in favour of Dylan Clancy. The home side have conceded only one try this season and if they could find a remedy for their kicking ills could spring a surprise.

Form so far: DLSP - L D L. Garryowen W L L.

Referee: B Smith (Munster).

Forecast: DLSP.

St Mary's v Ballymena (Templeville Road)

Brent Pope will make a late decision on who plays scrum-half, John Kilbride or Alan O'Sullivan.

Ballymena are without Ireland international Dion O'Cuinneagain who has been advised not to risk a slight thigh strain. His absence will disappoint Victor Costello who might have fancied a tete-atete with the former Ireland captain. Chris McCarey deputises. There is also a doubt surrounding Simon Mason (hip). If Mary's play to their potential then they should win well.

Form so far: St Mary's College - W W W. Ballymena - W L W.

Referee: D McHugh (Munster).

Forecast: St Mary's.

Clontarf v Lansdowne (Castle Avenue)

The north Dublin club has reached crisis point in the front row and has had to call upon two dual status props, Ivan Glynn (Tullow) and Aidan Clarke (Aer Lingus) to replace Ivan O'Kelly and Tommy Kearns. Robert Casey comes in for the injured Donovan Rossi on the wing.

Lansdowne make four changes, including restoring Leinster captain Liam Toland, from the side that performed so poorly against Terenure. A repeat performance would not be tolerated and so smarting from a few home truths they should vent their frustration on their hosts.

Form so far: Clontarf - L L L. Lansdowne - W D L.

Referee: D Tyndall (Leinster).

Forecast: Lansdowne.

Sunday

Terenure v Buccaneers (Lakelands)

Eric Miller has recovered from the flu and takes his place in the middle of the backrow. A late change sees Colin Potts switch to blindside flanker in place of the injured Peter O'Malley. Dermot Quinn comes into the second row.

Buccaneers await medical reports on several players and won't finalise their side until later today. On form this should be Terenure with a little to spare.

Form so far: Terenure College - L W W Buccaneers - W L L.

Referee: O Trevor (Munster).

Forecast: Terenure.

Division Two

Saturday

Wanderers v Bective Rangers (Lansdowne Road).

Bective suffered a surprising defeat at home to Malone last time out. Suitably chastised, they could sneak a victory on the short journey to Lansdowne Road against a Wanderers team who did not play last weekend.

Form so far: Bective Rangers - L W L. Wanderers - W L.

Referee: S McDowell (Ulster).

Forecast: Bective Rangers.

Portadown v Blackrock College (Chamber's Park)

Even without Brian O'Driscoll, Blackrock should be far too accomplished on the evidence of last week's glittering performance against a previously unbeaten Belfast Harlequins.

Form so far: Portadown - L L L L L W L. Blackrock College - W W W.

Referee: D Keane (Leinster).

Forecast: Blackrock.

Belfast Harlequins v Dolphin (Ormeau)

Belfast's mental resolution will be tested after last week's 44-3 defeat, but they should still be too strong for the Cork visitors.

Form so far: Belfast Harlequins - W W L. Dolphin - W L L W L L L.

Referee: A Rolland (Leinster).

Forecast: Harlequins.

Malone v Old Belvedere (Gibson Park)

Despite a fine away win to Bective, Malone will find Belvedere a much tougher proposition.

Form so far: Malone - L L L L W L W. Old Belvedere - W L W W W.

Referee: A Lewis (Leinster).

Forecast: Old Belvedere.

Greystones v UCD (Dr Hickey Park) THE Students have enjoyed a fine season and last week's victory over Old Crescent should do wonders for their self-belief.

Form so far: Greystones - L L L L L D. UCD - W L W W W.

Referee: G Doyle (Ulster).

Forecast: UCD.

Old Crescent v Sunday's Well (Rosbrien)

A shock defeat last time hardly augurs well for the home side, particularly against tough opposition. Should be close but Crescent to prevail.

Form so far: Old Crescent - W W W L W L. Sunday's Well - W L W W W.

Referee: P Gilmore (Connacht).

Forecast: Old Crescent.

Galwegians v UCC (Crowley Park)

A comprehensive defeat to Derry last week halted Galwegians fine opening to the season, but they should get back on track against the European Students Cup finalists and defending champions.

Form so far: Galwegians - W W W L. UCC W L L L D.

Referee: M Orr (Ulster).

Forecast: Galwegians to win.

English Cup - Fifth Round Saturday

London Irish v Leicester

As League champions, Leicester received a bye into this round but now face an awkward encounter. - they won't under-estimate their challenge.