Weekend Preview | Senior Rugby

The All Ireland League resumes after a two-week break with a full programme of games across all five divisions while there is also action in the Women’s AIL.

In the All Ireland League, proceedings get underway on Friday evening in the Premier County as Cashel and Nenagh Ormond lock horns at the Spafield. Cashel, who are third, will be looking to maintain their promotion challenge following their 19-13 away win over Ballymena. The North Tipperary side are hovering above the drop zone following their narrow 21-18 home defeat by Dolphin.

On Saturday in Division 1A, defending champions and unbeaten leaders Cork Constitution welcome Ballynahinch to Temple Hill. The Lilywhites are in pole position with six wins from six, while the County Down side are hovering above the drop zone following their maximum point 35-34 away win over Dublin University.

UCC, who have slipped to fifth following three successive defeats, face a tough assignment as they host UCD in a Colours Match. The home side claimed a losing bonus point from their 10-6 defeat by Cork Constitution, while UCD, who are second, go into the tie on the back of a maximum point 30-20 home win over Terenure College.

Garryowen, who are fourth, travel to the Capital to take on third-placed Terenure College at Lakelands Park. The Sky Blues ran out 13-10 home winners over Clontarf last time out, while Terenure College go into the tie on the back of a 30-20 defeat by UCD at Belfield.

Young Munster will be looking to make the most of home advantage count in a bid to climb out of the drop zone following their 7-0 away win over Lansdowne as they entertain seventh-placed Dublin University, who claimed two points from their home defeat by Ballynahinch.

Unbeaten Division 1B leaders Highfield are at home to sixth-placed City of Armagh, who were defeated 40-13 by Old Wesley at the Palace Grounds last time out.

Fourth-placed Shannon, who were relegated from the top flight last season, entertain Old Wesley, who missed out on promotion via the play-offs at Thomond Park. Shannon will have their work cut out following their 16-14 defeat by Naas in County Kildare as the Dublin side are second following a comprehensive 40-13 away win over City of Armagh.

Dolphin, who are propping up Division 2A on seven points, will be looking to climb out of the drop zone as they take on Buccaneers at Irish Independent Park.  The Leesiders claimed all of their points to date from their last two games, while the Athlone side are just two places above the drop zone in seventh following their 20-15 home win over UL Bohemian.

UL Bohemian face a tough assignment as they travel to County Kildare to take on unbeaten leaders MU Barnhall at Parsonstown. The Limerick side are second from bottom following their 20-15 defeat by Buccaneers in Athlone.

Old Crescent welcome Ballymena to Rosbrien for their mid-table clash. Both sides go into the tie on the back of defeats as the Limerick side were defeated 32-10 by Rainey Old Boys in Magherafelt and Ballymena lost at home to Cashel on a 19-13 score line.

There are two Munster derbies in Division 2C.

Sunday’s Well are up to fifth pace following their 24-6 home win over Midleton and they travel to County Limerick to take on sixth-placed Bruff, who were defeated 51-12 by Omagh.

Midleton are propping up the table and they entertain Clonmel who are seventh following their 22-20 home defeat by Enniscorthy, from which they claimed a losing bonus point.

In the Women’s AIL, unbeaten leaders UL Bohemian lock horns with Railway Union in their top of the table clash. Both sides go into the tie with five wins from five apiece. The Limerick side recorded a 46-10 home win over Cooke, while Railway Union defeated Galwegians 34-22 at Crowley Park.