Weekend Preview | Senior Rugby

The All Ireland League continues this weekend with a full programme of games across all five divisions.

In Division 1A, unbeaten leaders and defending champions Cork Constitution welcome second-placed UCD to Temple Hill. The Lilywhites will be looking to make it eight wins from eight following their maximum-point win over bottom side Ballynahinch last time out. This is the Dublin Students’ second successive weekend on Leeside following their 24-10 away win over UCC in a Colours Match.

Garryowen go head to head with fifth-placed UCC at Dooradoyle. The Limerick side have moved up to third place following their 27-14 away win over Terenure College, while the Students go into the tie on the back of four successive defeats.

Young Munster, who have climbed up to sixth place following their 28-24 bonus point home win over Dublin University, travel to County Down to take on Ballynahinch, who are propping up the table.

The game of the day in Division 1B is the meeting of leaders Highfield and second-placed Old Wesley at Donnybrook. Both sides go into the tie unbeaten, while Old Wesley have a game in hand with Navan. The Leesiders defeated City of Armagh 21-13 at Woodleigh Park in their last game, while the Dublin side recorded a 24-20 away win over Shannon.

Shannon, who claimed their third losing bonus point from their 24-20 defeat by Old Wesley, welcome Dublin opposition to Thomond Park for the second successive weekend. Fourth-placed St Mary’s College are the visitors, who go into the tie on the back of a 16-10 home win over Naas.

Cashel, who are third in Division 2A, will have their work cut out in a bid to maintain their promotion challenge as they travel to Athlone to take on Buccaneers at Dubarry Park. Cashel ran out 22-10 home winners over Premier County neighbours Nenagh Ormond last time out, while the Athlone side, who are sixth, recorded a 27-24 away win over Dolphin.

There are also two Munster derbies in this division.

Nenagh Ormond, who are hovering above the drop zone following their 22-10 Tipperary derby defeat by Cashel, face a tough assignment as they host Old Crescent at New Ormond Park. The Limerick side, who are fifth, recorded a comprehensive 43-16 home win over Ballymena, from which they claimed their third bonus point.

UL Bohemian and Dolphin lock horns in a basement clash at Annacotty. The Limerick side are now propping up the table following their 15-8 defeat by leaders MU Barnhall in County Kildare. Dolphin have moved off the foot of the table as they claimed two bonus points from their narrow 27-24 defeat by Buccaneers on Leeside.

In Division 2C, Clonmel welcome Bruff to South Tipperary. There are two points separating these sides, who are fifth and fourth respectively. Clonmel go into the tie on the back of a 21-6 away win over Midleton while the County Limerick side ran out 14-10 home winners over Sunday’s Well.

Sunday’s Well, who are sixth following their 14-10 away defeat by Bruff from which they claimed a losing bonus point, welcome second-placed Skerries to Irish Independent Park, with the County Dublin side going into the tie on the back of a 39-24 home win over Omagh.

Midleton are propping up the table following a run of four successive defeats and they travel to County Offaly to take on Tullamore, who are hovering above the drop zone. The East Cork side were defeated 21-6 by Clonmel in East Cork last time out and their last win was against Bruff on home turf in mid-October.

In the Women’s AIL, unbeaten leaders UL Bohemian will be looking to make it six wins from six as they welcome third-placed Old Belvedere to Annacotty. The Limerick side go into the tie on the back of a 24-10 away in over Railway Union while Old Belvedere recorded a comprehensive 62-3 home win over Galwegians.