City of Armagh on cusp of AIL Division 1B playoffs ahead of penultimate game against Trinity
City of Armagh have moved to the cusp of the Division 1B playoffs after two consecutive wins.
Chris Parker’s side are fifth, two points behind Garryowen with two games remaining.
Armagh travel to second-placed Trinity before finishing against league leaders Old Wesley at home.
“We have to win this Saturday to make sure we have something to play for on the 4th of April, but everything's going to go to the wire at both ends of the table around that, it's what makes it exciting,” said Parker.
“Nobody wants dead rubbers at this time of the year, everyone wants to be in the mix and playing for something. We've got an opportunity on Saturday to make sure we're still in the mix next Saturday.”
Armagh beat Highfield 25-12 at the Palace Grounds last week and Parker was pleased with his side’s display.
“I was very pleased with the Highfield performance, I thought the boys delivered really well in the game plan,” he said.
“They brought a lot of energy into the game that built up during the week. I just thought there seemed to be real clarity and alignment in them and what they needed to do, I thought they carried it out really, really well.
“We'd been under the pump a wee bit in the first half. To score two tries just before half-time and after everything Highfield had thrown at us to go in 14-12 up, I thought it was a huge momentum swing. It started the second half really well and just built upon that.”
Parker knows Trinity will bring a different threat this week.
He added: “It's the nature of the league, every week is a different challenge, two very different teams. Highfield have beaten them twice, so maybe the blueprint is there from Highfield of how to beat Trinity.
“They're very difficult to beat at College Park, they have a very proud record there. It's going to be a huge task to go there, they're challenging for the league, and rightly so, but we've got a victory already this season against them, so we have to go there with confidence and belief that we can do the same again.”
Armagh have found some consistency and Parker is eager for his players to maintain their momentum.
“If we can build a bit more consistency this week, it would be great,” he said.
“Last Saturday was the first time we didn't have any changes in our pack from the week before, this week will be the first time we have no changes in our backline from the week before.
“Hopefully a bit more consistency in selection can keep with that consistency of performance.
“We have an expectation on ourselves that we have to go down here and perform on Saturday.
“Certainly it's been evident in training there's a bit more consistency to it."
Curtis Pollock is unavailable, so Thomas Dougan comes into the back row at openside. Lock Noah Bell misses out due to injury and is replaced in the second row by John Glasgow.
Relegated Queen’s travel to Blackrock.
In 1A, eighth place Ballynahinch host the side above them, Old Belvedere.
In Division 2B third place Dungannon face a difficult trip to fifth place Corinthians.
Ballymena visit Greystones needing a win to be mathematically safe, while relegated Banbridge are at Wanderers.
There is a big Ulster derby in 2B as second-placed Clogher Valley visit Malone. Rainey host champions Galwegians.
In 2C, Ballyclar travel to Limerick for a clash with Thomond while Belfast Harlequins host Malahide.