Chris Parker targets AIL fortress form from City of Armagh's Palace run of fixtures

“I think when the fixtures came out with the two of the first three at home, it was great to see and I suppose when you've got a few new boys into the squad it's nice to give them their first run out at a home fixture,” said Parker. “I suppose everyone just wants to get those points on the board early and try and build a bit of momentum and we all know it's a long year and 1B has historically been all 10 teams pretty much of a muchness.

“It'll come down to bonus points pretty much, who can pick up losing ones and who's able to get four-try ones, so we're just glad to be at home and, hopefully, can put down a bit of a marker.

"Try and make the Palace a very difficult place to come to but Trinity have been here before plenty of times, so it won't be overawed at all.”

Trinity finished second in the division last season but failed to get promoted in the play-offs.

“We managed to get one over them up here early last year and then they beat us down there at the back end of the year in a tight one,” said Parker. “They're always extremely well organised under Tony Smeeth and they play a very attractive running style of rugby, so maybe we'd favour getting them around winter time but it's a good challenge for us first up.

“They were obviously second last year, they'll probably have a few new bodies in as most clubs do, but it's an exciting one to get us going and it's just great to be at home to face them.”

Armagh won two of their three Ulster Senior Cup games.

“I think we had some really good passages in games and periods in games, that we've told the boys were brilliant and we just need to keep bringing that consistency,” said Parker. “It's something we've probably spoken about for a number of years around consistency.

“The boys have wanted to really get after that and be more consistent this year...so we took a lot of positives from aspects of our play.

"And, yeah, we got through a lot of bodies through just holidays and things and unavailability.

“A couple of young lads certainly showed they were more than capable of playing Ulster Senior Cup and have definitely put themselves in the mix to be considered as potentially able to now play AIL rugby.”

Ethan Graham and James Lennon will make their Armagh debuts.

Former RBAI Schools’ Cup winners, Boyd brothers Jacob and Adam, will make their Instonians debuts away at Garryowen.

“It is a very tough start for us in terms of the first block with three Munster teams and two away, it’s a brilliant challenge and I think the boys have really done well in pre-season,” said Instonians’ Paul Pritchard. “Ultimately, we know what to expect when we go down, they are going to start fast that is a challenge for us, they are going to be physical...it’s about doing our jobs well.

“It’s about going down and being in your best position to play rugby and, hopefully, come away with points.”

Also, Ballynahinch host UCD, Ballymena welcome Greystones, Galwegians travel to Stevenson Park to face Dungannon and Queen’s are in Limerick for a clash with Shannon from 1.30pm.