Senior Rugby Preview

It is another week of All Ireland League games this weekend.

The three Munster sides in Division 1A of the All Ireland League are in action against Dublin opposition for the second successive weekend.

Second-placed Cork Constitution entertain struggling Dublin University against whom they ran out 25-10 winners at College Park in November.

Garryowen, who have a game in hand, will have their work cut out as they welcome unbeaten leaders Lansdowne to Dooradoyle.

The Sky Blues are sixth and were defeated 12-8 when these sides met at the Aviva Stadium.

Fifth-placed Young Munster travel to the Capital to take on St Mary’s College, who are hovering above the drop zone with both sides coming off the back of victories against Clontarf and Cork Constitution respectively.

Young Munster recorded a comprehensive 51-7 victory when these sides met in Limerick.

Division 1B leaders Shannon travel to County Down to take on third-placed Banbridge against whom they ran out 33-14 winners at Thomond Park in November.

The Limerick side face a tricky task as they were defeated 10-5 by Ballymena at Eaton Park and the County Down side ran out 18-12 home winners over Old Wesley last time out.

Limerick neighbours UL Bohemian remain in the drop zone following their 7-3 home win over fellow strugglers Dolphin.

They will have their work cut out as they host fourth-placed Old Belvedere by whom they were defeated 18-13 in Dublin.

UCC will be looking to make the most of home advantage count as they host struggling Ballymena in a bid to record their first win of 2018.

The students are a point adrift of the play-off places in fifth while the County Antrim side are hovering above the drop zone.

Dolphin remain rooted to the foot of the table following their 7-3 away defeat by UL Bohemian from which they claimed a losing bonus point are at home to Old Wesley.

The Dublin side, who are seventh, won the corresponding fixture 34-5 at Donnybrook.

Cashel will be looking to make the most of home advantage count in a bid to maintain their outside challenge for a play-off place in Division 2A as they host struggling Corinthians.

They will also be looking to avenge November’s 19-8 defeat when these sides met in Galway.

Second-placed Highfield entertain third-placed Nenagh Ormond, who have a game in hand. Highfield ran out 37-22 winners when these sides met in North Tipperary.

Unbeaten Division 2B leaders Old Crescent will be looking to make it two wins out of two over Skerries at Holmpatrick as they put up 45 points without reply when these sides met at Rosbrien.

Sunday’s Well make the long trip North to take on Belfast Harlequins in a basement clash.

The Leesiders are ten points ahead of the Belfast side who they defeated 17-12 at Irish Independent Park.

They will also be looking to make it two wins out of two and build on their valuable 10-0 win over Navan last time out in their battle against a second successive relegation.

Thomond, who are the new leaders in Division 2C are away to third-placed Malahide who they defeated 34-17 when these sides met at Liam Fitzgerald Park.

Fifth-placed Bruff lock horns with fourth-placed Bangor at Kilballyowen Park. Bruff will be looking to make the most of home advantage count in their bid for a top four finish as they look to avenge November’s narrow 13-11 defeat in County Down.

Midleton, who have climbed out of the drop zone following their valuable maximum point away win over fellow strugglers Tullamore, face a tough assignment as they host Sligo.

The Yeats County side ran out 16-14 winners when these sides met at Strandhill, while Midleton will be looking to get a result in a bid to preserve their AIL status.