There are only seven rounds of normal action left in the league campaign and things are really starting to get serious. This weekend we will see a repeat of last year’s AIL final when Clontarf travel to Lakelands to face league leaders Terenure College. Young Munster can put themselves in the playoff places with a win at home to Trinity this weekend, and can Lansdowne make it three wins from three since the start of the new year. Let’s get into it!
Cork Constitution V Ballynahinch, Saturday January 26th, Templehill, 2:30pm
This is another interesting affair between two clubs that have been on the up in recent weeks. Con are unbeaten in three games, with the visitors on a four-game winning streak.
A lot of credit should be given to Jonny Holland and his Cork Con team who seem to be improving all the time with each game. They have a good balance of power and force in the forwards and speed and skill in the backs. They are firmly in the title conversation now, if they weren’t already.
Hinch are another team hitting a purple patch. They could be on the verge of entering the top four, if they were to get a win on the road this weekend. It would be a huge statement if they could get the result.
Garryowen V Lansdowne, Saturday January 26th, Dooradoyle, 2:30pm
Declan Fassbender will be hoping to end this block of fixtures with a 100% winning record since coming in as the new Lansdowne Head Coach.
In the first half of the league season, Lansdowne only managed to win two games, and we are only two results into the second half of the competition and they’ve already equalled that record. Early signs suggest that the tide is changing. They’ll be confident of another win on Saturday.
Garryowen, well there isn’t much to say, stuck at the bottom of the table on only three points, looking destined for relegation to 1B.
UCD V Shannon, Saturday January 26th, Belfield, 2:30pm
It is ninth vs eighth. A big game for two teams that are eager to still be involved in 1A rugby next season. It’s a crucial game with a lot on the line for both teams.
The students have struggled in recent matches, only winning twice all season. They haven’t really got going or kicked into action at all. However, a win this weekend would lift them out of the bottom two.
Shannon, like UCD have struggled at times this season. They did win the game between the two back in round seven. If they were to do the double over the Dubliners, they would distance themselves from the bottom two.
Young Munster V Dubin University, Saturday January 26th, Tom Clifford Park, 2:30pm
This game has so much writing on it, it feels like a must win for both teams. The Cookies in sixth, sitting two points off Trinity who are in fourth, just about hanging on to their place in the playoff.
These teams have been on very different trajectories recently. Munster have won four out of their last five league contests, whereas Trinity have lost four out of their last five matches. A Conor Phillips try at the death earned Gearoid Prendergast’s team a 24-25 victory in College Park in November.
The hosts would have to be the favourites this weekend. Home advantage could play a factor. Tony Smeeth has been without key forwards Paddy McCarthy, who is part of the Ireland U20’s panel and influential second row Harry Sheridan who played a couple of times for Ulster in recent weeks.
Will Young Munster do the double over the students?
Terenure College V Clontarf, Saturday January 26th, Lakelands, 3:00pm
This is the game of the weekend, there’s no doubt about it. First vs third, two heavyweights of the AIL and a repeat of last season’s final.
Unlike last season’s final Terenure will be heading into the contest as slight favourites considering their form in this campaign. They are unbeaten from home this season, their last defeat there came back in October 2021 against Saturday’s opponents Clontarf.
Both teams have extremely powerful forward packs, with the maul proving to be a solid provider of tries. There are some fascinating matchups all across the park, none more so than in the front row between two of the best hookers in the league, Levi Vaughan and Dylan Donnellan. They both love getting on the scoresheet.
One thing is for sure, it’s always a gruelling and physical encounter between these two teams, we shouldn’t expect Saturday to be any different!
