UCD V CLONTARF Tomorrow, Belfield Bowl (3.00).

Two divisions apart last season, they could conceivably exchange places by next weekend; testimony more to the remarkable and continuing rise of the students (despite loss of key components along the way such as Brian O'Driscoll, Ciaran Scally and Lee Smith) as much as Clontarf's marginal decline.

However, fate appears to have dealt UCD the unkindest cut of all with this play-off, given Blackrock were 20-10 up with three minutes to go against Crescent and then lost a re-arranged home game against a more motivated Galwegians, when a Blackrock win in either would have promoted UCD.

It's all a far cry from the days when an ex-UCD player recalls their season ending on February 12th. With exam pressure, mostly finals, this is UCD's worst time of the year to be playing. Clontarf, by comparison, must be relieved not to have to travel to Limerick or Galway and their own greater experience and reversion to a forward-orientated game makes them popular favourites amongst the cognoscenti. Still, UCD are not yer typical all-singing, all-dancing collegiate outfit and have a better pack than people might expect.

Last two seasons: Didn't meet.

Last five games: UCD - W W W W W. Clontarf - L L W L L.

Leading try scorers: UCD - Calum McLean, Michael Colling 5 each, Shane Moore 4. Clontarf - Ronan O'Reilly 6. Leading points scorers: UCD - Paddy Wallace 147. Clontarf - Richie Murphy 91. Referee: Alain Rolland (Leinster).

Forecast: UCD to win.