Team check: Stringer back from injury

Shannon

The Limerick club are hoping to have international scrumhalf Peter Stringer available again, following his ankle injury, for their trip to Ballymena. Munster wing John O'Neill is an injury doubt, while Shannon will also check on the fitness of flanker Redmond Collins.

DLSP

The main injury concern for coach Phil Werahiko is scrumhalf Mark Cross, but he is expected to play as the club play host to Clontarf in what will be a telling barometer in a battle to avoid relegation.

Clontarf

Former Leinster full back Kevin Nowlan is out with a leg injury with Darragh O'Se expected to deputise.

Old Crescent

They await the outcome of tonight's IRFU disciplinary hearing involving loosehead prop Des Clohessy, sent off the last day. Crescent are hoping the red card will be sufficient punishment. Brian Begley limped off at halftime in the defeat by Dungannon and coach Andre Human awaits a medical report on Begley and hooker Mark Hayes. Mark Hogan could be considered following an injury.

Cork Constitution

Number eight and captain Ultan O'Callaghan is out of the trip to Rosbrien after fracturing a knuckle. The damage does not require surgery but he could be out for two to three weeks. Anthony Horgan will also miss the game after picking up a calf injury in the defeat by Clontarf. Second row Mick O'Driscoll had an X-ray on damaged ribs and the good news is that there is no break. Flanker Jerry Murray is troubled by a knee problem. Coach Brian Hickey is optimistic that John Kelly will be available again after injury.

Blackrock College

Ireland under-21 international tighthead prop Niall Treston is unavailable because of exams, and Shane Byrne is still out of commission because of ankle and knee injuries - he could be back next week. But better news for coach Kevin West is that centre Michael Jackson has recovered from injury and Brian O'Driscoll is available.

Lansdowne

Shane Horgan's absence is extended by another week as he struggles to recover from an ankle injury. Compounding his absence is a hamstring/back strain that will sideline full back Gordon D'Arcy. On the plus side, Leinster captain Liam Toland may return for the short journey to Stradbrook following a shoulder/neck problem.

Galwegians

Doubts over the fitness of outhalf Eric Elwood have been assuaged and he will be fine for the game against Terenure College. Full back Willie Ruane is also expected to be fit.

Belfast Harlequins

Ulster hooker Richie Weir has recovered from injury and could be the only alteration to the team that lost narrowly to Shannon. Harlequins play fellow northerners Dungannon in a repeat of this season's Ulster Cup final, which the Belfast side won 41-12, albeit against a weakened Dungannon team. The home side have shown a tremendous improvement in recent weeks, beating Lansdowne and Clontarf and taking bonus points from St Mary's College and Shannon.

Dungannon

Coach Willie Anderson expects to maintain a settled side, whose free-scoring exploits have lifted the club to within touching distance of the playoffs. A fit again Alaister Boyd may be given an outing at blindside flanker.