St Mary's should have the edge

It will be interesting to note the Twickenham legacy. On any other week of the season, the prospect of Lansdowne and St Mary's College in opposition would attract a decent crowd and while they meet tonight in an AIB All-Ireland League Division One clash at Lansdowne Road (7.30) only those with a strong club allegiance are likely to make the pilgrimage.

The attendance may also be affected by the serious injury problems that afflict both sides. St Mary's will be without full-back Peter McKenna, international wing Denis Hickie and possibly centre Gareth Gannon. McKenna's ankle ligament damage, sustained against Ballymena, may keep him on the sideline for another two weeks.

It is an unfortunate setback for a player who otherwise might have had genuine pretensions for an international debut and inclusion against Scotland on Saturday week. Hickie is bothered by a back injury but St Mary's coach Brent Pope does not consider it too serious: the wing is unwilling to risk aggravating even minor damage. Hickie should make the Ireland squad to be announced on Thursday.

Gannon has been named in the team but has been suffering from flu and his presence is not a certainty. Ray McIlreavy would have been an obvious deputy but he damaged a hamstring in training and is not available. The talented Kelvin McNamee is named at fullback and Alan Conboy comes in on the right wing. John Kilbride continues to deputise for the injured Philip Lynch.

St Mary's fortunes are much more promising up front where they are able to call upon all but long-term absentee Emmet Byrne. Paul Higgins has been called into the back row in acknowledgement of his excellent form for the second team, allowing Ross Doyle a rest.

Lansdowne are without Gordon D'Arcy. His knee injury is not as bad as first feared but he will not train again before next week. Gus Hamilton moves to full-back with Ray Niland coming into the centre. Shane Horgan has been selected but there is a doubt lingering about the condition of a knee injury sustained in the A international against England at Northampton.

Colin McEntee has been forced into the second row because of injuries to Gabriel Fulcher (collarbone) and Brian Cusack (neck) with Graham Quinn preferred to Stephen O'Connor. Aidan McCullen takes over at number eight flanked by Stephen Rooney and Liam Toland.

It ought to have been an ideal opportunity for several players to press strong claims for inclusion in the Ireland squad but none of the national management will be in attendance: they will instead be picking that national squad at that juncture, a bizarre decision.

In returning to tonight's match, it represents a vital game for Lansdowne who can not afford another slip-up at this stage of the season. They face the divisional leaders and a side that have demonstrated panache and steel with equal measure. Lansdowne are fortunate that McKenna and Hickie will be missing and will need to exploit the re-arranged St Mary's backline.

This match, though, is likely to be won up front and St Mary's present a formidable pack, replete with the in-form Trevor Brennan, Malcolm O'Kelly and Victor Costello. If Lansdowne can somehow negate their opponents' superiority up front, then out-half Barry Everitt - showing glimpses of a return to form - can play a significant role.

It could and should be close but St Mary's, with the confidence of an unbeaten run from the start of the season, should have the hard edge to prevail in a tight contest.

LANSDOWNE: G Hamilton; M Dillon, S Horgan, R Niland, R Dolan; B Everitt, D O'Mahony; R Corrigan, O Ennis, A McKeen; C McEntee, G Quinn; S Rooney, A McCullen, L Toland.

ST MARY'S: K McNamee; A Conboy, M McHugh, G Gannon, J McWeeney; F Campion, J Kilbride; P Coyle, P Smyth, D Clare; I Bloomer, M O'Kelly; T Brennan, V Costello, P Higgins.