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.

Ruddock’s message is that Dolphin tend to be a different animal at Musgrave Park and around this stage of last season they inflicted a surprise 12-8 defeat on the eventual champions, St Mary’s.

Garryowen must now get back in the saddle after a serious defeat last week but it won’t be easy to do that against old rivals Cork Constitution, whose fourth place is enough to keep them in the hunt.

Con will also be seeking retribution for the loss against the Light Blues early last month (14-20). They responded well by defeating St Mary’s College, the champions, last week and will fancy their chances of a second successive victory on the road.

Young Munster hope to stay in the hunt after the postponement of last week’s game against Dolphin. They remain third with a game in hand and today take on Old Belvedere with the benefit of knowing how to beat the home side. Young Munster won the corresponding fixture in Clifford Park 40-3.