Munster clubs play host to four of this weekend's Division 2A matches, with the heavy rain making Woodleigh Park unplayable and seeing Highfield move their game against Blackrock to Irish Independent Park which will now stage an exciting double header.

The east coast is the hub for much of Division 2B's final round before Christmas, as unbeaten pair Greystones and MU Barnhall collide at Dr. Hickey Park, while Skerries and Wanderers are also looking to make home advantage count this afternoon.

A repeat of one of last season's semi-finals sees bottom side Terenure College clash with current leaders Cork Constitution in Division 1A's final round before the Christmas break. There is also a top-four showdown between Dublin University and reigning champions Lansdowne.

There will be plenty of festive cheer at grounds across Division 1B on Saturday, with the final round before Christmas headlined by two Ulster derbies and a short trip for table toppers St. Mary's College to Dublin rivals Old Wesley.

There are a number of games this weekend involving teams from opposite ends of the table, as the All-Ireland League Division 2C campaign hits the halfway point with Ballina on course to be number one for Christmas.

Seapoint RFC Head Coach Eric Miller says there's a positive mood in his squad heading into the final AIL fixture of 2018. They welcome fellow Dubliners Malahide to Kilbogget Park on Friday evening hoping to move closer to safety in Division 2C.

The inaugural Spirit of Rugby conference is taking place at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday January 13th, 2019. IrishRugby.ie confirmed in November that the key note speaker at the event will be Changing The Game Project Founder John O'Sullivan.

The IRFU are delighted to announce that a first ever Spirit of Rugby Conference is to take place in Dublin in 2019. The one-day event will be held at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday, January 13 as part of the IRFU's commitment to a safe and fun environment for age-grade players.

Four of last Saturday's matches in Division 1B were decided by eight points or less, showing again just how well-matched the second tier clubs are. St. Mary's College were the most impressive winners and are the latest team to hit the summit.

It is seven wins and seven try-scoring bonus points for Highfield who have edged two points clear of Cashel at the top of All-Ireland League Division 2A. Blackrock College and UL Bohemians were the climbers this week, the Red Robins defeating Dolphin 28-14 to make it into the top four.

Dungannon ran Greystones extremely close in the match of the day in Division 2B last Saturday, but Kevin Lewis' charges stood firm to claim their eighth straight victory. Rainey Old Boys, who are now third overall, turned in a terrific performance in Cork where they ran six second half tries past Sunday's Well.

Bruff's six-match winning streak was ended by Malahide, allowing Midleton to nip back into second place in Division 2C. Fourth-placed Omagh gained ground with a bonus point win at home, while Tullamore edged further clear of trouble with a 27-20 success at Thomond.

The winners of the 2018 IRFU 'Your Club, Your Country' Grand Prize Draw have been announced as over half-a-million euro is raised for the clubs who took part.

There were bonus point home wins for Division 1A leaders Cork Constitution, Lansdowne, UCD and Garryowen, but the result of the round came at Castle Avenue where Dublin University did all of their scoring in a wind-assisted first half against Clontarf.

Lightning struck twice as Old Belvedere secured back-to-back wins over leaders Railway Union on Saturday evening, with only two points now separating the top three sides in the Women's All-Ireland League table. Katie Byrne wraps up the round 8 action.

Cork Constitution have extended their lead at the top of Division 1A to four points, while it was also a good weekend for Lansdowne, Dublin University, UCD and Garryowen. Elsewhere, in-form St. Mary's College have hit the summit in the second tier, and unbeaten Greystones are now eight from eight in Division 2B.

Railway Union and Cooke are out for revenge in this evening's return matches, while injury-hit St. Mary's have conceded a walkover win to defending champions UL Bohemians. Katie Byrne previews round 8 of the Women's All-Ireland League.

A busy day of fixtures in All-Ireland League Division 2A includes leaders Highfield's trip to Munster rivals Nenagh Ormond, a top-four face-off between Queen's University and Cashel, and third-placed Navan's date with bottom side Galwegians.

The sad passing of Wanderers FC President John Roche Kelly casts a shadow over today's All-Ireland League Division 2B schedule. New leaders Greystones are on the road to second-from-bottom Dungannon, while Corinthians and Sligo clash in a Connacht derby.

Three of Division 2C's leading four clubs are at home in the penultimate round before the All-Ireland League takes its Christmas break. Heffernan Park is becoming quite a fortress for new leaders Ballina who entertain Bangor in a meeting of two recent All-Ireland Provincial League champions.