It’s a big weekend for all the teams in the top four. League leaders Terenure College travel to College Park to take on Trinity who are in desperate need of a win. The other big clash sees defending champions Clontarf host Jonny Holland’s Cork Con. Further down the table, it’s a Friday night lights Dublin derby on the Aviva stadium back pitch when Lansdowne and UCD do battle.
Lansdowne V University College Dublin, Friday January 20th, Aviva Stadium Back Pitch, 8pm
It’s Friday night lights when Lansdowne welcome fellow Dublin team UCD to the Aviva Stadium back pitch. It’s a game that has big implications for the bottom half of the table.
Declan Fassbender’s reign began with a good win on the road against Shannon last week. He’ll be targeting another victory on Friday. It would be the first time they have won two consecutive games this season. Another win could signal a change in the tide. Jack O’Sullivan’s return is a huge positive for them as they try to attack this second half of the season.
The students didn’t get firing at all in their last game at home to Ballynahinch last week. It would have been a bitterly disappointing result. There is no doubt that they have some exceptional individuals in their squad, but finding that perfect team performance has been a real struggle for them this season.
The loser of the game will be very much still in danger of slipping into the bottom two.
Dublin University V Terenure College, Saturday January 21st, College Park, 2:30pm
It was a tossup between this game or the one in Castle Avenue for the game of the week choice, but, this contest edges it.
Back at the start of December, these two sides played out a cracking game in Lakelands, with a late Caolan Dooley penalty giving Nure the 23-21 victory. Confidence will be high in Sean Skehan’s team after that good win vs Young Munster last week. Having the likes of Levi Vaughan, Conall Boomer and Jordan Coughlan in their forward pack will give them a bit of physical leverage over their opponents who have been struggling up front in recent weeks.
One thing that can be guaranteed about this game is plenty of tries. They are the two highest scoring sides in the division, with electrifying backlines. Adam La Grue, Ronan Quinn, Colm De Buitléar and Colm Hogan are just some of the names who could find themselves on the scoresheet this weekend. It’ll be an exciting watch; I promise you that!
Clontarf V Cork Constitution, Saturday January 21st, Castle Avenue, 2:30pm
The other big clash of the weekend sees old rivals Clontarf and Cork Con do battle in Castle Avenue on Saturday afternoon.
Tarf came out on top when the teams met back in round eight. On that day, Andy Wood’s men won 22-29 in Temple Hill. That result kickstarted a three-game winning streak for the defending champions. Hooker Dylan Donnellan has been in great try scoring form again this season, with nine tries to his tally already. It will be interesting to see if Leinster player Alex Soroka is available for selection again as having him in the backrow for this game would be a huge bonus against such strong Con forwards.
Con are coming into this game off the back of two ultra-competitive games against Trinity. The Cork men are battle hardened and ready for another huge challenge this weekend. It should be a game full of big hits, a real tussle in the physicality stakes.
Ballynahinch V Garryowen, Saturday January 21st, Ballymacarn Park, 2:30pm
Ballynahinch are looking to make it four wins on the bounce when they welcome bottom of the league Garryowen to the north on Saturday.
Rewind 12 months, the Ulstermen were fighting for survival in 1A and now they are in fifth and pushing to get into the playoff places. They’ll fancy their chances of getting another win at the weekend.
Young Munster V Shannon, Saturday January 21st, Tom Clifford Park, 5pm
The Limerick derby takes place on Saturday evening between Young Munster and Shannon. Two sides who are keen to get back to winning ways.
The Cookies head into the derby as favourites. They were comfortable winners when the teams last met back in early December. They should win this match to put them back in the playoff’s conversation.
Shannon finds themselves back in the relegation places. They know every win counts at this point and getting themselves out of the drop zone will be their target.
