Ulster Bank Bateman Cup: Semi-Final Previews : Irish Rugby

This weekend sees the semi-finals of the Ulster Bank Bateman All-Ireland Cup when the four provincial cup winners clash. Interestingly it is Division 1A against Division 2A in both games as Cork Constitution host Queen's University and UCD entertain Galwegians.

ULSTER BANK BATEMAN ALL-IRELAND CUP SEMI-FINALS: Saturday, January 18

Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated -

Cork Constitution (Division 1A) v Queens (Division 2A), Temple Hill

Preview: Cork Constitution are mid-table in Division 1A - not a position they are used to - but they are also the reigning champions in the Ulster Bank All-Ireland cup.

Con won the Munster Senior Cup with a last gasp extra-time penalty win over Garryowen and they will be more than keen to hang on this coveted piece of silverware.

Queen's University are in good form in Division 2A with six wins and four try-scoring bonus points to date to leave them just four points behind leaders Galwegians - who are in the other semi-final.

Queen's beat Ballynahinch in the Ulster Senior Cup final to book their place in the All-Ireland semis.

The Ulster side will certainly take the game to their Division 1A rivals and it would some scalp if they could take it, but you would have to fancy Tom Mulcahy's side at home in Temple Hill.

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Cork Constitution to win by 6-10 points

UCD (Division 1A) v Galwegians (Division 2A), Belfield

Preview: This is sure to be another hotly contested game as the Division 2A league leaders Galwegians travel to Belfield to take on a UCD side that lie fifth in Division 1A.

The College side have lost their last two games in the league and will be keen to kick off 2014 with a lift in their fortunes.

'Wegians have only dropped one game in their league campaign so far and have racked up 230 points and five try-scoring bonuses to date.

Again this would be a great scalp for the visitors if they can pull it off and on current form they definitely stand a chance despite UCD's loftier position.

IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Galwegians to win by 1-5 points

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has joined a host of political, sporting and broadcasting legends to send a message of support to the Irish Women's Rugby Squad ahead of the forthcoming Women's Rugby World Cup, which begins in Paris on 1st August. Good luck messages from Eamon Dunphy, John Giles, Liam Brady, Olympians Ronnie Delaney, John Tracey, Rob Heffernan and Derval O'Rourke, the Dublin Women's GAA team, Northern Ireland Minister for Culture Arts and Leisure Carál ní Chuilín, Tánaiste Joan Burton, broadcasters, Irish senior men's team players, domestic grassroots rugby teams and schoolgirl rugby players.

Head coach Philip Doyle and try-scoring captain Fiona Coghlan give their reaction after Ireland's 27-7 win over Wales in their final Women's Rugby World Cup warm-up match in Malahide.