Terenure College and Clontarf are now out on their own at the top of the table. We ask the same question every week, can anybody cause an upset and beat one of these inform sides or will it be a straight shootout between them at the top.
Young Munster V Clontarf, Sat November 12th, Tom Clifford Park, 2:30pm
Clontarf will be looking to make it six wins from six when they head to Limerick on Saturday, whereas Young Munster will be keen to get their first win in this second block of fixtures, but they know it’ll be a tough ask.
Tarf were pushed to the limit at home to Trinity last Saturday, with a late try securing a 38-33 win. Outside centre and captain Matt D’Arcy has really stepped up and taken control in the games where they’ve looked under pressure, in particular that Trinity game and in their first game of the campaign against UCD. He is a vital player for them. Young Leinster scrum half Ben Murphy has looked good off the bench, since returning from the Emerging Ireland tour. To have both Angus Llyod, who’s been there and done it all and a young and promising talent in Murphy, Andy Wood is spoilt for choice in the number nine jersey.
The Cookies haven’t won a game since round three, but they have taken away two losing bonus points in their last two contests. If they were to get the victory on Saturday, it would keep them just off the top four spots.
Terenure College V Ballynahinch, Sat November 12th, Lakelands Park, 2:30pm
Lakelands is always a great place to go on a Saturday. It’s one of the best grounds in the country, with a buzzing atmosphere anytime Terenure are playing at home.
Ballynahinch are next on the list to face what must seem like a daunting task against Terenure this weekend. Nure have scored 100+ points in their previous two home games this season, putting the results to bed pretty much before we even get to the halftime break. Their form in the last month or so has been frightening and their confidence is incredible.
Ballynahinch got a hard-fought win at home to Young Munster last Saturday. Their a solid team who can put it up to anyone on the day. Number 8 Jamie McCartney and centre George Pringle have scored three tries each this campaign.
It’s hard to see any real weaknesses in this Terenure outfit and it would be a safe bet to say they are going to continue their winning ways this weekend.
Dublin University V Shannon, Sat November 12th, College Park, 2:30pm
We’ve got a team who won their first game of the season last week, facing a team who got beaten for the first team in the league this season last week, doing battle on Saturday.
Tony Smeeth’s men will be disappointed that they couldn’t finish the job in Castle Avenue last Saturday. However, they’ll be very much focused on the next job in Shannon. They’ll be favourites heading into the game. Their fitness and ability to exploit the space late on could be enough to get them back to winning ways.
Shannon put in a massive shift up front last week. They’ll need the likes of Jordan Prenderville and Luke Rigney to have big games again, slowing down the Trinity speed of ball will be a serious challenge for their experienced backrow. Can they build on the win last week?
Cork Constitution V Lansdowne, Sat November 12th, Temple Hill, 2:30pm
An inform Cork Con welcome Lansdowne on Saturday in what should be a very interesting encounter.
If Johnny Holland’s men win this game, it’s been a very successful block of fixtures for them, winning four games on the bounce. They currently sit in the top four picture and they’ll be hoping to stay there.
Lansdowne have only won one of their opening five games this league season, however we could start to see a turn in the tide if they win away in Cork because after that they have three very winnable games against Garryowen, Shannon and UCD in the next block. All teams that are below them in the table at the moment. Could this be the turning point for Mark McHugh’s men?
Garryowen V University College Dublin, Sat November 12th, Dooradoyle, 2:30pm
It’s a bottom of the table clash when Garryowen host UCD on Saturday. Which one of these teams will register their first win of the league campaign.
Given that they have home advantage the win is arguably more important for Garryowen and a loss could potentially make relegation a likely possibility this early in the season .
The student will fancy their chances in getting the much-needed win and with Shannon after the break, they’ll be targeting these next two games.
