BT Premiership division 1
Biggar v Stirling County

Borders professional Ian Berthinussen is having trouble with his back, and so winger Craig Sorbie moves into centre, with Craig Parker on the left wing. Up front, Graham Fisken is the likely replacement for Euan McAlpine (knee trouble).


Stirling County welcome Brian Archibald back at full-back for his first league game for a month or so, while New Zealander John Verstynen is also fit again and takes his place at stand-off, with Alan Sime at inside centre.

Boroughmuir v Ayr

The home side will be without top-scoring full-back Ross Cook, who's just had a minor knee operation. He is replaced by Rory Couper, whose place on the wing goes to Charlie Keenan, back from Dubai. Toby O'Reilly makes his league debut for the home club, pairing up with Calum Cusiter at half-back, while Edinburgh pro David Callam replaces Olo Brown at blindside flanker. Ayr won their first away game of the season at Duns last Saturday and coach Craig Redpath, who hopes to field a full-strength XV, is looking for a repeat showing.

Currie v Stewart's-Melville

The visitors list Tongan international Hotila Asi in their squad, though the experienced prop may start on the bench. There is a doubt about Nicky Wood's availability, and it may be that Graham Shiel will revert to stand-off. David McColl returns on the right wing after a successful outing in the Dubai sevens.

Currie are minus the Cairns brothers Ben (on sevens duty) and Mark (injured) and they are replaced by Graeme Moffat and James Taggart.

Glasgow Hawks v Watsonians

The champions and runaway leaders will virtually wrap up the title this afternoon if they beat their nearest challengers, who are almost certain to be without player-coach Cammy Mather, who has been laid low by flu. With Carl McWilliam back home in New Zealand on holiday, Ally Rowe plays on the left wing.

Richie McKnight is back at scrum-half for Hawks, while Scotland Under-21 centre Iain Kennedy is given a run on the left wing.

Hawick v Melrose

The visitors field Scotland Under-21 stand-off James King at full-back, with Cammy Murray at centre for this Border derby. Ross Miller is at No 8 for the injured Jamie Murray.

Hawick give a first league outing to teenager Nick McTaggart, a member of the Scotland Under-19 squad, in place of Barrie Keown, who has joined the police and is undergoing his training, while Greg Goodfellow is on the wing for Colin Murray, who has been in Trinidad playing sevens and is not due back until today.

Heriot's v Aberdeen GSFP

Fijian Apolosa Satala makes his seasonal league debut for the home side, taking over in the back-row from Jamie Syme, currently in New Zealand. Gareth Hann is at lock, with Jamie Osborne replacing the injured Scott Newlands at No 6 and Irish flanker Ricky Simms making a first start in a new back-row.

Aberdeen give Australian-born Simon Griffiths a game in the back-row, while Aaron Pullman returns at lock after a lengthy spell out with a blood disorder.

This article was posted on 10-Dec-2005, 08:56 by Hugh Barrow.