The first outings for the 2024/25 season’s double-headers kick off on Saturday, though this process is not completed until the New Year, and pride of place goes to the Ulster derby between Instonians and Banbridge in Division 2A.
Instonians are top of the table, and Paul Pritchard’s squad host sixth-placed Bann at Shaw’s Bridge for their final AIL fixture of 2024.
“We’re looking forward to a good test, are happy the first one is at home and we just have to go out and make sure that we play to the best of our ability,” said head coach Pritchard.
“It’s the last League game at home (for 2024), and we are on a good run and want to take that momentum into this weekend.”
Ian Whitten again starts for Inst, with brothers David and Rob also in the squad.
The other clash in 2A sees Ballymena at fellow strugglers Navan.
In the top-flight, Ballynahinch are at Terenure a week after losing at home to Clontarf and being knocked off top spot in the table.
Ulster squad member Reuben Crothers again features for Hinch, with Bryn Ward and Zack McCall making up a formidable-looking back-row for the visitors.
Down in eighth, City of Armagh are also heading to Dublin where they face Clontarf at Castle Avenue.
Queen’s University are chasing consecutive victories when they take on Old Wesley at the Dub a week on from the Students’ crucial result at basement side Highfield.
In 2B, Rainey and Clogher Valley begin their back-to-back encounters at Hatrick Park with five places and nine points separating them in the log.
Rainey know they must start winning more games – just three so far from eight rounds – to move away from their current seventh place.
Tommy O’Hagan moves to tighthead prop for this encounter and Jack Hardy shifts one out to inside centre.
Elsewhere, Dungannon, in third, are also playing the first round of their Ulster derbies with sixth-placed Malone at Stevenson Park.
In 2C, Belfast Harlequins have Tommy Armstrong at out-half for their derby with Ballyclare, their first clash being at Deramore with the visitors being just one place behind Quins, who are third in the table.
Down in ninth, Omagh host basement side Tullamore.
FIXTURES
Division 1A: Clontarf v City of Armagh, Terenure College v Ballynahinch
Division 1B: Queen’s v University v Old Wesley
Division 2A: Instonians v Banbridge, Navan v Ballymena
Division 2B: Dungannon v Malone, Rainey v Clogher Valley
Division 2C: Belfast Harlequins v Ballyclare, Omagh v Tullamore