Intelligence sources indicate that Harlequins, Munster's lone survivors in tomorrow's fourth round of the Irish Senior Cup, will surge on to the quarter-finals and that they will be joined by four Ulster teams and three from Leinster, or vice-versa - depending on the outcome of the Instonians-Avoca tie.

In more recent performances, Avoca have regenerated a source of momentum from their successes in the 1990s, but Instonians, also following a dominant era, look capable of making a stronger recovery after lapses at the start of the season. The return, notably, of Julian Lewis and Clark Kennedy gives them renewed vitality which their Dublin visitors may not quite match.

Harlequins, while also travelling to Belfast, seem sufficiently robust to prevail against NICS at Stormont. Although Chris Barnes has been scoring freely for the home side, they will not have the same overall forcefulness as the Cork brigade, for whom Paul Lombard and Dave Eakins can excel.

Banbridge, with Robin Madeley adding stability and David McAnulty capable of striking lethally, are unlikely to suffer the startling defeat inflicted by Trinity when the Dublin students last visited Havelock Park two years ago. Newry Olympic will be taken to beat North Down in an all-local tie while re-emerging Lisnagarvey are expected to be confirmed as Ulster's top side by overpowering YMCA in Dublin.

Daniel Clarke, with fresh enthusiasm, and Julian Stevenson could do most damage at Ballinteer, but Alan Dowd is being missed at the back - points reflected in last weekend's league scoreline: NICS 5, Lisnagarvey 7.

Pembroke Wanderers, the holders and Leinster's main flagship, should be too accomplished for Cookstown at Serpentine Avenue, though the defence - with Duncan McKeen doubtful through injury - will need to be alert to the penetrative ability of Andrew Barbour.

Of the two all-Dublin affairs, sturdy contenders Glenanne will be expected to overcome Railway Union at Tallaght, where Nasir Munir from Lahore and Railway's reappearing Owen Butler will be interesting contestants. At the airport, Aer Lingus promise to be doughty opponents for Monkstown.