Every Friday from 12noon I look ahead to the weekend's rugby for the Irish provinces and beyond.
Here in Ireland we're used to having four teams play every weekend throughout the season, but that usually means the provinces.
Even though the domestic season is over it seems that there are even more must-see games on the schedule, and you won't hear any complaints from me!
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(All times Irish)
Friday, June 7
Tblisi Cup
Georgia v Emerging Ireland, 4pm
Former Ireland international Allen Clarke takes charge of this interesting panel of "emerging" talent who play in this four-team tournament along with the host Georgians, Uruguay and the mouthful "South African President's XV Team".
Rhys Ruddock assumes the captain's duties in a team packed with players knocking on the door at their respective provinces, with the notable exception of Leicester Tiger Niall Morris who established himself on the wing at the Premiership champions last season.
Ian Keatley will be extra keen to prove himself in these matches as Messrs Madigan & Jackson strut their stuff in North America. And there seems to be a decent enough representation from the four provinces as Connacht's Eoin Griffin and Tiernan O'Halloran get their chances in the backline.
In the pack there is a strong Leinster presence as their second-string combination for next season Jack McGrath and Michael Bent get a chance to work together and in the back row Dominic Ryan partners Ruddock with Jordi Murphy on the bench.
On the Georgian side the name Gorgodze is conspicuous by its absence but you can take it as given that their pack will provide a tough test regardless. They are skippered by winger Irakli Machkhaneli who won his first cap in 2002 and now plays in the third tier of the French system.
I have no idea how to call this game - it's a brand new Irish combination and the Georgians will be out to make full use of their home advantage. Still, I'm counting on the visitors to find a way to come out on top. Emerging Ireland by 5
Saturday, June 8
2013 Lions Tour
Queensland Reds v Lions, 10:30am
Welsh players dominated the team for the Barbarians match, Irish ones did so during the week, now it seems to be the turn of the English with six starting in Brisbane.
Manu Tuilagi moves over to 13 while Owen Farrell gets to work alongside his fellow countryman Ben Youngs, who's brother Tom also starts at hooker and will be looking to edge ahead of Rory Best in Gatland's pecking order.
Tommy Bowe is the only Irishman starting, with O'Connell, Murray and Sexton on the bench - all of them are well in with a shout of the test 23.
The most interesting feature of this Lions incarnation will be the all-Welsh backrow of Lydiate, Warburton and Faletau...O'Brien and Heaslip gave excellent accounts of themselves in Perth but this could be a trio that Gatland will be tempted to favour and it's not as though they have never played together before.
As for the Reds, well they certainly can't be accused of putting out a weakened team, with scrumhalf Nick Frisby having the least amount of caps for the franchise amongst the starters with 16.
Still though, there are several notable names listed as "unavailable for selection" like Saia Faingaa, Will Genia, James Horwill and Digby Ioane.
Quade Cooper skippers the side he led to Super Rugby glory in 2011 and will be looking to show Robbie Deans that he deserves to be in his plans for the test series. In the pack former Leinster & Ulster lock Ed O'Donoghue gets a start and watch for the old warhorse Radike Samo who is waiting to be sprung from the bench.
With Cooper on the park, anything is possible, and it will be interesting to see him matched against Farrell and possibly Sexton. The tourists should take this comfortably, though by a tighter margin than their first two encounters. Lions by 20
Test Matches
Japan v Wales, 6am
The large number of Welshmen on the Lions tour makes this a virtual "A" squad, but it's a great chance for the Dan Biggars and the Andrew Coombs to stake their claim for a spot in their quest for three Six Nations championships in a row. On the Japan side Highlanders scrumhalf Tanaka stands out for the home side but I doubt they will be able to trouble their visitors too much. Wales by 12
New Zealand v France, 8:35am
If like me you can see past all the Sky hype surrounding the Lions you will probably agree that this is the tie of the weekend. Maybe there won't be a Carter or McCaw on show but there's still plenty of talent between the two matchday squads, not to mention the history.
Aaron Cruden lines out for the All Blacks at 10 and faces Bordeaux youngster Camille Lopez, with Freddy Michalak waiting in the wings. The French will no doubt look to their back row of Dusautoir, Ouedraogo and Picamoles to help create the space for Wesley Fofana to work his magic.
Meanwhile the Eden Park crowd will be looking to the likes of Dagg, Nonu and Conrad Smith along with powerful winger Julian Savea who helped destroy the Irish this time last year.
I expect the French to compete but I don't expect them to win, and the home side should pull away towards the end. New Zealand by 13
Scotland v Samoa, 1:15pm
South Africa v Italy, 4:15pm
Argentina v England, 8:10pm
USA v Ireland, 1:30am (Sunday)
PREVIEW WILL PUBLISH SATURDAY MORNING
Sunday, June 9
Junior World Championship
Ireland U20s v Fiji U20s, 5:45pm
PREVIEW WILL PUBLISH SATURDAY MORNING
Super Rugby
Western Force v Waratahs, 7:05am
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Be sure and enjoy your rugby this weekend wherever you are. JLP
