After a bitter season last year, there is once again a buzz back in Donnybrook as Old Wesley are at the top of the Division Three table after two weeks. With an additional bonus point for four tries, their nine-point start could not have been better.
Former Irish front-row Henry Hurley has returned after stays at Clontarf and Moseley but, it is pointed out, the prop was originally a Wesley man. Hurley is a big addition and joins Cameron Thomas and Simon Dale in the front row as the side prepares to face a tough encounter with Bohemians at Thomond Park, where the home side have not been able to play for the last two seasons.
Captain Andrew Leeson, who played for the Wesley second XV on Sunday, is back and available for selection following a shoulder injury that kept him out for several weeks. Fears that Dave Ellis, who limped off last week, would be unable to play seem to have also dissipated.
Bohemians, who had been playing in Annacotty for two years, look on Thomond as their spiritual home and are now delighted to be back. Having moved on a number of players over the summer, the former Young Munster trio of number eight Declan Edwards, out-half Aidan O'Halloran and second-row Justin O'Connell join former Shannon scrum-half Colin Murphy in a much strengthened squad.
Ballynahinch, who have also two wins from two, caught a brief glimpse of back-row Andy Ward when he came on last weekend for the final 30 minutes against Instonians. It is the only time Ward has appeared for the club since the start of the season, as his duties with Ireland and Ulster haven taken preference. He is again unavailable this weekend as Ulster try to climb off the bottom of their European Group Three pool as Llanelli come to Ravenhill. There is also some doubt surrounding regular outhalf Daryl Callaghan, who has a rib injury.
Skerries, who face Instonians at Holmpatrick, have only full back Alan Courell injured. Jim Dempsey, who was missing from the side last week because of study commitments, is available as an out-half and may allow a shuffle involving Patrick Beggs returning to the full-back slot.
Carlow, still reeling from their defeat by Bohemians, despite Matthew Waterhouse scoring five penalties and a try, make just one change for their clash against Monkstown. Andrew Melville, who came on as a substitute on Saturday, starts at number eight for Neil Campion.
In Division Four, Suttonians are illustrating just how important bonus points can be. With one win from two games they still have six points, a feature of which table-leaders Bangor are acutely aware. Bangor's acquisition of Joeli Veitayaki, colloquially known as "Big Joe", has added a new dimension to their game. The 22 stone former Fijian World Cup prop and captain has given enormous impetus to their their front row. Like Ward, though, he is Ulster-tied this weekend. Another omission is second row Chris Patton who is out with a septic foot, Paddy Taylor taking his place.
Meanwhile, UCC begin the defence of their European Students Championship with a game against Exeter at the Mardyke next Monday UCD are also in action that night when they travel to Glasgow.
