Weekend Preview | Senior Rugby

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

In Division 1A, unbeaten leaders and defending champions Cork Constitution travel to the capital to take on third-placed UCD at Belfield. The Lilywhites go into the tie on the back of an 18-3 home win over Young Munster and they recorded a comprehensive 53-10 victory when they met the Dublin students at Temple Hill.

Second-placed Garryowen travel to Leeside to take on struggling UCC at the Mardyke. The Sky Blues go into the tie the back of a comprehensive 40-19 home win over UCD, while UCC were narrowly defeated 19-18 by Lansdowne in Dublin. Garryowen won the corresponding fixture 25-10 and the Leeside Students’ last victory came against Young Munster in Limerick in October.

Seventh-placed Young Munster welcome bottom side Ballynahinch to Tom Clifford Park. The Limerick side go into the tie on the back of an 18-3 defeat by Cork Constitution at Temple Hill and they ran out 26-24 winners when they met Ballynahinch in County Down before the Christmas break.

The game of the day in Division 1B is the top of the table clash between Highfield and Old Wesley at Woodleigh Park. Old Wesley ended Highfield’s unbeaten start to the campaign when these sides met in Donnybrook and there is one point separating these sides as Highfield were defeated 31-13 by Shannon at Thomond Park last time out.

Shannon, who have climbed up to fifth following their 31-13 home win over Highfield, travel to the Capital to take on seventh-placed St Mary’s College at Templeville Road. Shannon won the corresponding fixture 24-11 at Thomond Park.

There are two Munster derbies in Division 2A.

Dolphin, who are second from bottom, face a tricky task as they entertain UL Bohemian at Irish Independent Park. Dolphin were defeated 21-3 by leaders MU Barnhall in County Kildare last time out, while UL Bohemian climbed up the table following their 28-24 home win over Cashel. UL Bohemian recorded a comprehensive 50-24 victory when they met Dolphin in Limerick.

Old Crescent have climbed up to third following their narrow 12-10 away win over Buccaneers and they welcome bottom side Nenagh Ormond to Rosbrien. The North Tipperary side go into the tie on the back of a 24-8 away defeat by Queen’s University. Old Crescent ran out 34-15 winners when these sides met at New Ormond Park.

Cashel have slipped to fifth following their narrow 28-24 defeat by UL Bohemian in Limerick. They will be looking to make the most of home advantage count as they entertain sixth-placed Buccaneers, by whom they were defeated 8-3 in Athlone.

In Division 2C, fourth-placed Sunday’s Well face a tricky task following their 19-7 home win over Omagh as they travel to North County Dublin to take on second-placed Skerries, by whom they were narrowly defeated 13-12 at Irish Independent Park.

Bottom side Midleton will have their work cut out following their 10-6 defeat by City of Derry on Foyleside, as they welcome third-place Tullamore to Towns Park. The Offaly side won the corresponding fixture 29-17.

Bruff have slipped into the drop zone following their 13-3 defeat by Tullamore in the Faithful County. They host sixth-placed Clonmel by whom they were defeated 13-12 in South Tipperary.

The semi-finals of the Womens All Ireland Cup are down for decision this weekend. Runaway League leaders UL Bohemian will be looking to keep their Double aspirations on track as they travel to the Capital to take on Railway Union. UL Bohemian won both League meetings between these sides. The winners will meet Old Belvedere or Suttonians in the decider.