Co Carlow face injury crisis

Full-back Billy Murphy and flanker Daniel Mallon are definitely out and three-quarters Mark Buckley and Michael Sweetman are doubtful for Carlow's trip to league leaders Galwegians.

Centres James Downey and Conor Mahony will return for Clontarf and right wing Niall O'Brien will make his debut for the club at Shannon.

UCD out-half Eoghan Hickey tops the Division One scoring charts, on 50 points, just one ahead of Dungannon's Mark Armstrong.

Former Carlow coach Kim Thurbon has departed Terenure College after only four months in the hot seat at Lakelands Park.

He has been replaced by interim coach Des Lamont. Mark O'Kelly is exam-tied and Killian Coleman gets his chance in the centre.

St Mary's College prop Brian Moran will make his debut and centres, Gareth Gannon and Kieran Lewis are expected back from injury. Their opponents Garryowen have slight doubts about prop John Staunton and second row David Fitzgibbon.

Lansdowne have former Ireland schoolboy John Smith on the right wing. Ronan Bolger comes into the second row and Stephen O'Connor moves back to number eight for Leinster-tied Aidan McCullen against Cork Con.