Match Preview

Malone (1st) v Queen's University (3rd), Gibson Park, 8pm

The meeting of the division's front runners and Queen's, Neil Doak's ever-improving side, should draw a big crowd. These Belfast rivals have both been playing rugby that belongs in a higher tier and it is all about keeping the momentum up as they plot a prolonged challenge for promotion.

The third-placed students have been scoring tries for fun with captain Nigel Simpson, Jack Milligan, Angus Curtis and Mark Keane all popping up as regular scorers, but Malone will be their toughest test yet. Lock Phil Lucas faces a late fitness test for the hosts, who have Jack Owens, Matthew Dalton, Joe Dunleavy and Peter Cooper released from Ulster duty.

Queen's have a nice blend of experience and youth at their disposal, with streetwise half-backs Ritchie McMaster and John Creighton getting the best out of a talented bunch of backs. Ulster have released recent debutant Jonny Stewart, who starts on the students' bench, along with Curtis and fit-again hooker Alexander Clarke.