Senior Rugby Preview

The final series of group games in all five divisions of the Ulster Bank All Ireland League are down for decision this weekend.

The three Munster sides in Division 1A are in action against Dublin opposition.

Cork Constitution, who have slipped to fourth following their 3-0 defeat by Young Munster at Tom Clifford Park, welcome sixth-placed St Mary’s College to Temple Hill. The Leesiders will be looking to make the most of home advantage count in a bid to grind out a maximum point win to guarantee a home tie in the semi-finals.

The Cookies travel to the Capital, to take on Old Belvedere, who are relegated. The Limerick side will be expected to record their second win over Belvo as they defeated the Dublin side 26-10 when these sides met at Tom Clifford Park.

Struggling Garryowen face a tough assignment as they take on leaders Lansdowne at the Aviva Stadium. The Dublin side recorded a 32-25 when these sides met at Dooradoyle.

There is a Munster derby at Annacotty between UL Bohemian and Dolphin who are at opposite ends of the table in Division 1B. The Limerick side ran out 41-10 winners when these sides met at Irish Independent Park. Dolphin will have their work cut out in their bid to avoid relegation play-off, following their 22-10 victory over Old Wesley, which lifted them off the foot of the table.

Seventh-placed Shannon travel to County Antrim to take on eighth-placed Ballymena, by whom they were defeated 25-16 at Thomond Park on the opening day of the campaign.

UCC will be aiming to claim all points on offer in their bid to reach the promotion play-offs as they take on Old Wesley at Donnybrook while second-placed Highfield are assured of a home tie in the Division 2A promotion play-offs. They complete their group campaign in Belfast against Queen’s University who they defeated 16-13 at Woodleigh Park on the opening day of the campaign.

Leeside neighbours Sunday’s Well, who are second form bottom and will be contesting the relegation play-off, welcome leaders Banbridge to Irish Independent Park. The County Down side ran out 41-12 winners when these dies met at Rifle Park. A win for the ‘Well and Highfield would see the Woodleigh Park side top the table and gain automatic promotion.

Third-placed Nenagh Ormond should have little difficulty in seeing off the challenge of relegated Belfast Harlequins at New Ormond Park as they aim to bounce back from their recent Premier County derby defeat by Cashel. Seventh-placed Cashel are away to fourth-placed Malone by whom they were defeated 21-14 at the start of the campaign at the Spafield.

In Division 2B fourth-placed Old Crescent face a tricky task as they travel to County Wicklow to take on leaders Greystones, with a place in the promotion play-offs at stake for the Limerick side. Thomond, who have been relegated for the second successive year host third-placed Wanderers.

Kanturk, who are propping up the table in Division 2C, will be looking to make the most of home advantage count as they host Rebel County neighbours Midleton, in a bid to avoid an automatic return to Junior ranks. This is also a fixture in which the Duhallow side have not had the best of records as they were defeated 30-9 when these sides met in East Cork.

Fifth-placed Bruff will be looking to end their campaign on a winning note as they host Boyne by whom they were defeated 24-19 in Drogheda on the opening day of the campaign.