Douglas Celts and Southern Nomads are currently the two dominant rugby sides in the Manx Shield.

The pair’s two matches against each other generally determine where the Shield title goes.

This makes it an ’El Clasico’ kind of a match whenever they meet and the first time this season is Saturday when they lock horns at King William’s College.

Both sides are on form too. Celts eased past a dogged Ramsey B 46-0 last weekend while Nomads thrashed Vagabonds B at Ballafletcher.

It’s difficult to pick a winner here if I’m honest. Celts seem to have a little more consistency in their team selection with the two eye-catchers being prop Rob Todd and number eight Conor McCaughan.

Todd - like all good tight-head props - has versatility. As well as multiple front row positions he can also play in the back row and even appeared in the 10 jersey a few weeks back. McCaughan, as well as being a close-range try poacher, has added goal-kicking to his resume and is having some success.

Nomads have lost Rob Keelan which has somewhat dented their firepower but Orry Watterson can sniff out tries and Drew Fleming and Jacob Halstein are also familiar with where the whitewash is.

The man who impressed me two weeks ago, however, was wing Gerard Landels.

He never stopped working and ran a great support line for a try. His wing work was impeccable and whenever he took the ball into contact Nomads retained possession.

The game is likely to be close, but I suspect this could be a Douglas year.

In the only other Shield game this week, Castletown host Emerging Nomads at Poulsom Park.

Nomads drew first blood last week when the two sides met in the Manx Plate.

They must start as favourites following that win, but Town always take great pleasure in beating a Nomads side and that may just spur them on.

DAVE CHRISTIAN

FIXTURES: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28

North One West

Keswick v Douglas @ Keswick

Lancashire/Cheshire One

Ramsey v Congleton @ Mooragh Park ko 1.30pm

Lancashire/Cheshire Two

Mossley Hill v Vagabonds @ Mossley Hill

Manx Shield all ko@ 2.15pm

PDMS Southern Nomads v Douglas Celts

@ King William’s College

Castletown v Emerging Nomads @ Poulsom Park