Carlow's AIL Division Three fixture with Old Wesley in Dublin on Saturday will be one of their toughest assignments this season. Old Wesley, whose match against Bohemians in Limerick was postponed last weekend because of rain, sit on top of the table and are hopeful of going into Christmas maintaining their lead.
Carlow are currently sitting mid-table, although they too should be a tough proposition. The good news for Carlow is that they appear to have come away from their 20-9 win against Monkstown at the weekend with a few knocks but no real serious injury worries.
What should focus Old Wesley, however, is the prolific kicking of Carlow's Matthew Waterhouse. The full back currently lies third in the AIL kicking table with 30 points so far. Only Portadown's Ben Matthew (38) and Archie Kettyle (34) from City of Derry have scored more.
Old Wesley also have no injury concerns while centre Colin Younger, who was unavailable last week, is again available for selection.
Fourth-placed Skerries, who will now not be playing their scheduled match on Tuesday 28th against Wesley, have a free run into January. Openside flanker David O'Sullivan twisted his knee in their 12-12 draw with Instonians on Saturday but should be fit after a short break. It took a fantastic penalty kick from half-way by Skerries out-half Jimmy Dempsey to draw his side level with the Ulster side with only five minutes remaining.
Ballynahinch, who are breathing down the neck of Old Wesley, must make the long trek to Richmond and will again have to do without Andy Ward as Ulster continue their European Cup campaign.
The university sides are all involved in the Students European Championship which should make for tired legs at the end of it all. In Division Two, UCC and UCD battle it out in their respective groups in Cork and Glasgow, while Division Four's Queens University are in England. Trinity, who currently top the table after a 31-3 win over Suttonians last weekend, are based in Wales and are not scheduled to play.
Carlow: M Waterhouse; M Buckley, M Henry, R O'Donnell, I Dwyer; P Jones, L Peavoy; P Brennan, C Gee, L Hannon, G Murray, L O'Byrne, D Cox, D Hyland, A Melville.
