With just three games to go in the Leinster first division, UCD, weather permitting, can take a giant leap towards retaining their title this weekend when they play twice, but they should be testing fixtures with Railway Union and Loreto, in third and fourth place respectively, their opponents.

The students are three points clear of Hermes, with a vastly superior goal difference should it come to that, but the number of matches won is the first criteria used to separate teams level on points.

Hermes, then, will hope for a favour from Railway and/or Loreto, but that would count for little unless they can pick up maximum points from their games against Trinity tomorrow and, yes, Railway on Sunday.

Both Railway and Loreto are a daunting seven points adrift of UCD, but the former have a game in hand and that chance tomorrow to take three points off the champions, so they won’t be waving a white flag just yet.

UCD play Pembroke Wanderers in their final fixture on Saturday week, Hermes meet Loreto and Railway are at home to Trinity.

And in Munster there’s a “table topper” scheduled for Farmers Cross tomorrow between Cork Harlequins and Catholic Institute, the sides level on 39 points, both with one more game to play after this meeting. Their opponents in their final as yet to be scheduled game? Each other, again.