ULSTER BANK LEAGUE: Lansdowne miss boss Ruddock’s steer

Lansdowne coach Mike Ruddock has been forced to step back from today’s clash with Dolphin at Musgrave Park due to his involvement with Ireland’s U20s last night.

No doubt, however, he will have instilled the necessity to respect the opposition, a team in sixth place but one with a match in hand over the leaders, whose victory over Garryowen at Dooradoyle last week gave them breathing space.

But Lansdowne have led comfortably before in this league only to have been reeled in. Dolphin have a lot to prove and much to play for in the sense that defeat would probably end any notions they have of being in a challenging position at the end of the season.