UCD strong favourites for Colours clash

For the first time in the history of the Colours match between Trinity and UCD the match will be contested by two bona fide rugby academies at Donnybrook today.

Trinity, who set up their academy in the last year and currently have seven players on stream, face a well-balanced UCD side, who have embraced the academy concept for the last two years and are strong favourites.

Given the heightened significance of the encounter as one of the biggest matches most of the players will play in their careers, the game is very often won by the side who can best blank out the peripheral party mood. UCD have had the most success in this regard, winning 25 times to Trinity's 17. (Three matches have been drawn.)

That the game triples as an AIB League match, Dudley Cup and Colours match ensures a competitive encounter.

With just five new players lined up for colours, former Newpark fullback Philip Bredin, scrum-half Ciaran Scally, out-half Andy Dunne, lock John Smith and back row Neil Coughlan, holders UCD are clearly the more experienced team.

The relatively callow Trinity side has 11 new starting colours, leaving only five players who have faced the pressures before: Centre Colin Murphy; left wing Paddy Mettler (probably the only Swiss player ever to gain the honour); out-half Mark McHugh, lock Brian Buckley and blindside Willie Robb are the five old heads.

Trinity's form has been encouraging with recent wins over Bohemians and Highfield while UCD's victory over NIFC two weeks ago clearly indicates that they too are striking the right note.

UCD have a strong pack and with the influential pairing of international Scally and Dunne in midfield, UCD will hope that recycled ball will find the dynamic Brian O'Driscoll and Kiwi Michael Colling, who fill the two centre positions. College also welcome back Joe Shine to the back row. Shine has been injured since UCD's European game against Toulouse at Belfield before Christmas.

Perhaps less balanced than UCD, Trinity have a plethora of talent with nine underage representative players in the starting line-up including flanker Richie Woods, who played against France last week for the victorious Irish under-21 side and under-21 squad member McHugh.

Elsewhere in Division Three bottom-of-the-table Highfield face Instonians with a number of doubts hanging over the Cork side. Second row Sean Kenneally sustained a facial injury for Highfield against Monkstown last week giving Bryce Smart an opportunity to come in. Scrum-half Billy Quinlan, who has a shoulder injury, is also a doubtful starter.

Instonians have few serious injuries to worry about, although, centre Mark Young twisted a knee in their last match. The Belfast side strengthen their back row with the return of John Gardener, who has recovered from a back problem.

Carlow face North in the only other Saturday game in Division Three with Richmond hosting UCD on Sunday. Richmond report no injuries with UCD delaying their team selection until after today's Colours match.

Queen's University face doubts over Robert Dunlop and Alan Dickson for their Division Four match against Ballina at Upper Malone while a number of other players are suffering from flu. A lot will depend on the recovery rate during the week.

Ballina, currently at the top of the table, may prove too physical for the students, who have had an inconsistent season so far. But if the home side can field a full squad, the leaders will certainly have a match on their hands.

Dublin University: W Martel (Scotts College, Australia); G Hayes (Clongowes), C Murphy (Blackrock College), M O'Kelly (Terenure College), P Mettlerv (Royal Pretora); M McHugh (St Mary's College), C Curneen (Blackrock College); P Wallace (Laffin High), K Murphy (Blackrock College), M Fearon (Blackrock College), T Hogan (Nenagh College), B Buckley (Terenure College) capt, W Robb (Dalriada), R Woods (Blackrock College), D Sowerby (Queensland University, Australia)

UCD: P Bredin (Newpark Comprehensive); J Smith (St Patrick's College), B O'Driscoll (Blackrock College), M Colling (Otago High, New Zealand), H McMahon (St Munchin's College); A Dunne (Belvedere College), C Scally (Blackrock College); J Lane (St Mary's College), M Moynagh (Scots College), R McCormack (St Mary's College), C Keane (Templeogue College), J Smith (Blackrock College), J Shine (St Mary's College), N Coughlan (Blackrock College), G Cantwell (St Mary's College)