After an 19-month hiatus, All-Ireland rugby returns this weekend with 30 games happening across the weekend, including champions Cork Constitution getting underway away to Lansdowne.
Old Belverdere host Naas on Friday night in Division 1B, before the 29 remaining games take place on Saturday at 2:30 PM.
With most clubs stating a preference for a return to the previous format, an 18-game regular season will run until April 9th, 2022.
The men’s final is set for Sunday, May 1st 2022.
The champions ended the suspended Division 1A top of the table, seven points clear before Covid-19 issues suspended the league.
Brian Hickley’s side were unbeaten in the previous campaign, winning 14 from 14 and with a points difference of +139, making them strong favourites again this year.
Garryowen were in second place, and they play Dublin University away from home.
In a direct contrast of fortunes, the students endured a miserable 2019/20 season, sitting in ninth before the league’s suspension and they’ll want to tighten up their leaky defence that conceded the most points in the league last year.
Last season’s seventh place Clontarf host third place UCD at Castle Avenue, with the Bulls looking to unlock their next Irish rugby star after producing international players such as Mick McGrath, Cian Healy, Tadhg Furlong, Joey Carberry and Noel Reid.
UCD were in a very competitive top half, with just eight points separating second to fifth.
In the opening round’s other two fixtures, struggling UCC host Terenure College and Young Munster host Ballynahinch.
UCC endured a difficult 2019/20 season that saw them finish the suspended season with the lowest points scored in the divison – 224, with Brian Walsh hoping his side won’t struggle again with white line fever.
Ballynahinch were the league’s bottom side at the end of the 2019/20 season, with just 16 points registered from 14 games, and Adam Craig will want his side to start well to avoid another miserable campaign.
Ben Jaycock
I am a Sports Journalism & PR graduate from Staffordshire University. During my time at Final Whistle, I have covered the LOI National League, international games and the Women’s National League. Outside of Final Whistle, I am a researcher for World Rugby and a writer for The Rugby Paper.