It’s first against third at Deramore Park as Ballynahinch clash with Belfast Harlequins in AIL Division 1B on Friday night.
Hinch have a 10 point lead over Quins but just shaded the earlier game this season 13-11 at Ballymacarn Park and lock James Simpson is expecting another tight game.
“It’s a big game and they is always a lot of competition between the two teams, this is our second game against them and we just squeezed a victory at home,” said Simpson.
Hinch have won eight and drawn one of their nine matches but have had to dig deep in their last two outings to preserve their unbeaten record.
“Last week against Trinity we were maybe a bit poor in the first half but we came through with a good win in the second half and they were a good team and we just about scrapped it,” he added.
“There is a great buzz and a lot of confidence in the squad.”
Coach Derek Sufferin makes one change from the side that won last week with Michael Graham coming into the back row and David McGuigan dropping to the bench, Neil Faloon is injured.
Chris Quinn is out of the back division with a dislocated shoulder so Michael Lawton continues on the wing.
Three wins in their last three games has seen Quins put themselves in the promotion picture however they will be missing a number of key personnel for the visit of the leaders.
Hooker Niall Annett and Richard Lutton who both scrummed well in last week’s win over Buccaneers haven’t been released by Ulster.
Tom Fraser will hook while Neil Simpson comes in at tight head prop. Ravens No8 Sean O’Connell is still injured.
Behind the pack Michael Heaney hasn’t been made available while Rory Scholes and Stuart Olding are on Irish U20 duty.
There is also a vital Ulster derby at Gibson Park as Malone host Ballymena.
Malone are without props Chris Taylor and Jake Caulfield, loose forward Connor Joyce and scrum half John Creighton who are all in Wales with the Ireland U20’s.
Both games have a 7.30pm kick-off.
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