Match Preview

Nenagh Ormond v Malone, New Ormond Park

Nenagh Ormond and Malone both qualified for the play-offs last season but were undone by Dolphin. Ivan Muldoon's Nenagh fell at the final hurdle, losing out 13-6 to the Corkmen with their only points on the day coming from New Zealander Clayton Stewart, who is set for his second season as a play-making out-half.

If this game follows the same script as the 2016/17 contests, there should be plenty of points scored at New Ormond Park. Malone won a 66-point thriller against the Tipperary men in October before also taking April's return fixture, 29-22, in which centre Michael Cartmill touched down twice.

The Cregagh Red Sox have been performing well in their early season Ulster games, putting 64 points on City of Derry last week. 20-year-old Ulster Academy prop Peter Cooper, who scored two tries on his debut against Derry, is set to start at tighthead against Nenagh, while Callum Smith and Jack Owens, who is part of the province's senior squad this season, are two potential match winners at out-half and full-back respectively.