Ballynahinch are facing a crucial moment in their bid for a top-four finish when they take on Lansdowne on Saturday at Ballymacarn Park.
Lying fifth in the Division 1A table, and five points behind Terenure, Adam Craig’s squad know they must go all out for a result though it appears this will have to be achieved without their usual Ulster releases due to Friday night’s friendly with Queensland Reds.
Former Ulster squad members Zac McCall and Mark Best are, as usual, togging out for Hinch with current Academy player Ethan Graham on the wing.
Down in eighth, City of Armagh are on their travels as they face high-flying Cork Constitution though coach Chris Parker’s side have been boosted by their last-gasp victory over Young Munster last time out.
In 1B, Queen’s University, who are sixth, will be missing a number of players who are with Ulster as they host Nenagh Ormond.
Division 2A leaders Instonians are at Old Crescent as they attempt to push on and stay ahead of nearest rivals Galway Corinthians and, elsewhere, Banbridge, who are sixth, are also on the road as they face Greystones.
One from bottom Ballymena have a simply must-win encounter at Eaton Park with basement side Buccaneers — the visitors have yet to win a game and appear destined for the drop.
Rainey’s revival has brought them to fourth in the 2B table though they still have some way to travel to secure a Play-Off spot.
The Magherafelt club are at Sligo and though their hosts are ninth, this is being anticipated as a tightly fought encounter.
Rainey have Tommy O’Hagan and Mark Lee in their hard-grafting pack while Jack Hardy continues at No.12 with Scott McLean at out-half.
Also in the division, second-placed Dungannon host what is likely to be a crunch meeting with leaders Wanderers in terms of staying in touch with the pacesetters who currently are eight points in front of the Stevenson Park club.
Third-placed Clogher Valley are away at last-placed Malahide while Malone, in eighth, take on Skerries, who are one place above them in the table, at Gibson Park.
In 2C, in-form Belfast Harlequins will be seeking to keep the pressure on leaders Midleton as they hit the road for Dolphin. Second-placed Quins, skippered by the experienced Mark Glover, are just one point off Midleton and with a game in hand.
Relegation-battling Omagh are at Enniscorthy and Ballyclare go to Clonmel.
Division 1A: Ballynahinch v Lansdowne, Cork Constitution v City of Armagh.
Division 1B: Queen’s University v Nenagh Ormond.
Division 2A: Ballymena v Buccaneers, Greystones v Banbridge, Old Crescent v Instonians.
Division 2B: Dungannon v Wanderers, Malahide v Clogher Valley, Malone v Skerries, Sligo v Rainey.
Division 2C: Clonmel v Ballyclare, Dolphin v Belfast Harlequins, Omagh v Enniscorthy.