All-Ireland League team news

Ballymena

Coach Andre Bester will meet the players for the first time since last Saturday's draw with Garryowen at training tonight. He awaits a directive from the IRFU on the availability of prop Clark Millar who was sent off for stamping in the Garryowen match. The likelihood is that Millar will miss at least two matches. Better news is that Gary Longwell will be available after sitting out last weekend's game due to his international squad status.

Belfast Harlequins

The Belfast club was due to train at Campbell College yesterday but was forced indoors because the pitches were unplayable. Given their first victory of the season last weekend over Old Crescent, it is unlikely that there will be many alterations to the team. Harlequins hope to train in Dublin tomorrow en route to Saturday's clash with Galwegians.

Buccaneers

Facing a hugely important clash away to DLSP on Saturday as both teams languish winless at the bottom of the table, Buccaneers coach Brian Rigney expects to be without influential number eight Craig Brownlie. The former Clontarf player may have broken a couple of ribs in last week's defeat by Shannon.

Cork Constitution

Cian Mahony, out for much of the season to date with injury, suffered a bit of a setback on St Stephen's Day when he damaged his back in Cork Constitution's annual clash with UCC.

Mahony is undergoing intensive physiotherapy but is doubtful for Saturday's game against Lansdowne. Prop John O'Driscoll and second row Donnacha O'Callaghan are both nursing knocks while Derek Dillon and Brian O'Meara are also on the treatment table.

Prop Ian Murray was sent off for punching against Terenure and while the club believe there are mitigating circumstances, they are resigned to being without him for a couple of matches. Rob McGrath will deputise.

DLSP

Coach Phil Werahiko should be able to select from a full squad for the vital clash with Buccaneers. Despite enjoying a significant share of possession, DLSP could manage only a bonus point in losing to St Mary's last Saturday - they lost by less than seven points.

One of the St Mary's tries sparked a touch of controversy. Werahiko pointed out that St Mary's captain Victor Costello indicated a kick at goal from a penalty. The touch judges retired behind the posts but outhalf Eddie Hekenui tapped the ball to himself and crossed for a try. Werahiko was not making excuses, pointing out that his side enjoyed enough possession to win the match.

Garryowen

Coach Andy Earl is awaiting a definitive medical report on his captain and scrumhalf Tom Tierney before deciding on a team for the difficult trip to St Mary's.

Lansdowne

Reggie Corrigan is probably out for another two weeks and would therefore be doubtful for Leinster's game against Edinburgh Reivers in the European Cup when it resumes in a fortnight. Prop Angus McKeen is rated no better than 50/50, Gus Hamilton is even more doubtful through injury. Stephen Rooney is optimistic that he will be fit while Lansdowne will have to wait to see how Shane Horgan (neck), Liam Toland (groin) and Gordon D'Arcy came through yesterday's Leinster squad training session.

Old Crescent

Des Clohessy, who missed the defeat by Belfast Harlequins because of business commitments, will be available this weekend. Old Crescent are not expected to make too many changes despite an indifferent start to the season.

St Mary's

Brent Pope will be in a much stronger position if, as expected, international wings Denis Hickie and John McWeeney and centre Mark McHugh return to the St Mary's team for the game against Garryowen at Templeville Road. Hickie should definitely make it while McWeeney was passed fit to resume by the specialist - he has not played at all this season because of a shoulder operation. McHugh's ankle problem is also expected to have cleared in time. The pack and halfbacks will be the same that took the field against DLSP.

Shannon

John Langford misses the game against Clontarf having returned to Australia for Christmas. Tom Hayes and Redmond Collins have been added to the squad in the Australian's absence, while Peter Stringer should return at scrumhalf.

Terenure

Centres Mark O'Kelly and Michael Smyth, who missed the defeat by Cork Constitution, are expected to be available for the short trip to Blackrock. Shane Cullen went off with a shoulder injury but should make Saturday's game while Eric Miller will be named at number eight.