League previews

A look forward to the weekend's action in the All-Ireland League Division One.

(All matches 2.30pm)

Belfast Harlequins v St Mary's College, Grafton Arena- Both clubs have enjoyed an upsurge in fortunes in recent week. The Ulster club beat Shannon at home while St Mary's edged past Clontarf at Castle Avenue. Harlequins have benefited from the organisational skills of former Ulster coach Alan Solomons and, given home advantage, should prevail.

Verdict: Belfast Harlequins.

Blackrock College v Ballymena, Stradbrook- The home side's problem is not so much scoring points as conceding them; and by the bucket-load. The combatants today have been consistent in their inconsistency this season. On the basis that Blackrock will score points and provided they can reduce the flow in the other direction we'll go for them.

Verdict: Blackrock College.

Clontarf v Buccaneers, Castle Avenue- Potentially this one seems a straight-forward choice in arriving at the likely outcome. Buccaneers have lost their last three matches while Clontarf underlined their pedigree in beating Shannon at Thomond Park.

Buccaneers are better than their results suggest but not good enough to triumph here.

Verdict: Clontarf.

Cork Constitution v Lansdowne, Temple Hill- Another match where the form book heavily favours the home side who have won their last three games while Lansdowne have stumbled a couple of times in their most recent clashes.

Lansdowne do have a tendency to upset the odds when least expected.

Losing Niall Ronan and Devin Toner to the Leinster set-up is a big handicap, one that they are unlikely to surmount today.

Verdict: Cork Constitution.

Galwegians v UCD, Crowley Park- The students are going to have their work cut out against the "west Wales" team.

If the home side boss the forward exchanges then it won't matter how nifty the UCD backs are as they won't have any ball with which to play.

Verdict: Galwegians.

Garryowen v UL Bohemian, Dooradoyle- Likely to be the game of the weekend and one where the home side may just get back to winning ways. Garryowen have not won a game since their 16-15 victory over Lansdowne in December.

Since then they have lost four matches while UL Bohemian have been thriving. But in adding to the mixture, essence of local derby, the home side might just reverse that recent trend.

Verdict: Garryowen.

Shannon v Dungannon, Thomond Park- The Ulster club won't find a bigger threat to their recent run of victories than pitching up to the home of the reigning champions.

Dungannon have won their last five matches while their opponents have been a little hit or miss in recent matches but have to be taken to stop the visitor's run.

Verdict: Shannon.

Terenure College v Dolphin, Lakelands- Tied on 22 points apiece the winner of this clash can ease clear of the relegation scramble.

Munster commitments mean that Dolphin will be a little short and that could sway the outcome in Terenure's favour.

Verdict: Terenure.