Match Preview

This is a most eagerly awaited Belfast derby between two teams hoping to be in contention for promotion this season. Malone have bounced back from a pre season of considerable turmoil within the club to sit top of Division 2A after seven matches. Queens Head coach Bob Young has faced numerous obstacles from injury to player unavailability as he strives to field his strongest 1st xv. Like Malone they went to Munster and defeated early pacesetters Cashel on their home turf. Once again injuries to front row players continue to impact on Queens selection.

Brian Cunningham has been suspended for one week after being sent off along with Dungannon prop Steven Sinnamon last Saturday. Ulster Academy prop Jake Byrne has not been released with both Jordan Southway and Jonny Craig facing late fitness tests. Aside from Queens front row problems they have a squad full of Ulster Academy and Age representative players.

This includes talented backs Josh Fullerton, Jack Milligan, Paddy Farrell, Conor McKee, Alex Kane, Conor Kelly, Joel McBride and Ulster Academy players Liam Free, Robert Lyttle and Jonny McPhillips. In the forwards they are led by Captain Josh Atkinson, Nick Timoney, Paddy Marks, Nigel Simpson, Hugh Sloan, Marc Campbell, Saul Herdman, Stewart Martin, Jonny Craig, Jordan Southway, Brian Cunningham, Norman Sinclair and Ulster Academy players Alex Thompson and Jake Byrne. Nick Timoney will be unavailable this weekend due to his involvement with the Ireland Sevens squad. Interesting to note the number of exiles now playing rugby at Queens. This includes Ulster Academy players Liam Free, Jonny McPhillips and Jake Byrne along with Ireland under 19/20 players Hugh Sloan and Alex Kane and former Leinster Academy players Brian Cunningham and Nick Timoney. Where are the indigenous players from Ulster that went on to play for Queens, Ulster, Ireland and the British and Irish lions. Are we no longer producing the players from within the under age structure in Ulster.

Malone Head coach Jarrett Truscott picks from a virtually full strength squad with long term injuries Dave Cave and Chris Griffiths hoping to be available after Xmas. After resting ten of his squad last week against City of Derry there are returns for Tristan King, Cory Tipping, Richard Millar, Captain Neil Alcorn, Ross Todd, Shane Kelly, Josh Pentland and Adam Liddell to the 1st xv. Winger Michael Barker returns on the wing after being unavailable for several weeks. The unfortunate Michael Cartmill picked up an injury on Tuesday night that will rule him out for several weeks. The experienced Lee Barlow will join Ben Halliday, Ben McDonnell, Max Porter and Jack McMurtry on the bench.

Fascinating contest in prospect at Gibson Park between two evenly matched sides.