Senior Rugby Preview

There is a full programme of games across all five divisions of the All Ireland League on Saturday with just two rounds of games remaining.

The game of the day in Division 1A sees defending champions Cork Constitution, who are third, taking on second-placed Terenure College at Temple Hill. Two points separate these sides and the Lilywhites will be looking to make the most of home advantage count in a bid to overtake the Dublin side and avenge September’s narrow 39-35 defeat at Lakelands Park.

Garryowen, who have climbed into fourth place following their 35-30 away win over former champions Clontarf, travel to Athlone to take on Buccaneers who are propping up the table. The Sky Blues ran out 29-17 winners when these sides met in Limerick.

Sixth-placed Young Munster face a tough assignment following their narrow 24-22 home win over Buccaneers as they welcome leaders Lansdowne to Tom Clifford Park. The Dublin side recorded a 50 point victory over Dublin University last time out and they also defeated Young Munster 25-5 in Dublin.

Shannon have climbed up to second place following their 29-17 victory over Dolphin on Leeside. They travel to the Capital this weekend to take on fifth-placed Old Belvedere against whom they ran out 18-3 winners in Limerick.

Fellow promotion hopefuls UCC, who claimed a two bonus points on home soil against Naas, face a tricky task as they entertain third-placed Banbridge, with whom they drew 31-31 in County Down in September. This is also College’s colours game.

UL Bohemian welcome Naas to the 4G Pitch at the UL Arena. The Limerick side will be looking to make the most of home advantage count in a bid to claim all points on offer and climb out of the drop zone. Naas ran out 36-31 winners when these sides met in County Kildare.

Dolphin who are already relegated welcome fellow strugglers Ballymena, against whom they recorded their first of two wins, to Irish Independent Park.

Highfield and Malone lock horns in a top of the table clash at Woodleigh Park, with seven points separating these sides. The Belfast side won the corresponding fixture 21-14. A win for Malone will see them promoted as champions.

The two Tipperary sides are also chasing top four finishes.

Cashel have slipped to fourth following their narrow 22-17 defeat by Malone in Belfast from which they claimed a losing bonus point. They welcome Blackrock College to the Spafield and they will be looking to make it two wins out of two as they ran out 27-14 winners at Stradbrook.

Nenagh Ormond have climbed into third place as they defeated Corinthians 15-13 at New Ormond Park. They host sixth-placed Queen’s University, whom they defeated 37-31 in Belfast.

Division 2B champions Old Crescent, who are the only unbeaten side in the League are away to third-placed MU Barnhall. The Limerick side ran out 45-26 winners when these sides met at Rosbrien and they will have their work cut out in a bid to record a 17th straight win as the County Kildare side are coming off the back of a 25-5 home win over Rainey Old Boys.

Sunday’s Well are away to Ulster opposition for the second successive weekend as they travel to County Tyrone to take on Dungannon in a mid-table clash. The Leesiders have recorded five successive wins since January and will be looking to avenge September’s 19-10 defeat when these sides met at Irish Independent Park.

Thomond, who lead Sligo by a point in Division 2C, will be expected to make life difficult for Tullamore at Liam Fitzgerald Park and make it two wins out of two over the Offaly side, who are second from bottom.

Midleton have climbed into fifth place following their 38-13 home win over Bective Rangers and are now six points adrift of a top four finish. They welcome Omagh with whom they drew 29-29 in County Tyrone in September to East Cork.

Bruff are hovering above the drop zone following their 31-10 defeat by Sligo in Strandhill. They host bottom side Bective Rangers and will be looking to make the most of home advantage count and make it two wins out of two over the Dublin side in bid to preserve their senior status.