EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS REPORTS


By BILL LOTHIAN
FOR the first time since returning to Division One of the Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership two seasons ago, Edinburgh Accies today stand on the brink of four straight wins with Melrose the visitors to Raeburn Place tomorrow.

But don't expect Ian Barnes to be hanging out any bunting with the doyen of the club coaching scene preferring to look ahead rather than dwell on past glories.

"We still haven't played very well – and the problem is laziness," said Barnes.

"We have players either hanging around on the wing, ball-watching or taking up space that should be occupied by our stand-off.

"Too many players are looking at the professional game where the all-round skill levels are far higher and thinking they can play the same way when, in fact, it's totally different.

"In the pros it doesn't matter what number is on your back because you are expected to be able to do everything.

"We still need to concentrate on playing either as forwards or backs and a big test will come this weekend.

"Melrose haven't had the best of starts (one win out of four) and will come up really firing."

To those who would accuse Barnes of simply trying to keep feet on the ground after three wins out of four, he says: "I don't need to wind anybody up when there are videos the players can watch making it plain how much we still have to do."

At the same time Barnes admits that Accies have the capability to beat any side on their day while they are benefiting from a mini-influx of foreign talent.

"(Prop) Nick Lah and flanker James Turner have joined from Sydney after our winger, Matt Coupar, set up a connection while playing in Australia.

"Their arrival has helped fresh up the club and there is a good blend at the moment."

That mix includes Glasgow signing Chris Kinloch while Scottish rugby academy prodigy Alex Blair reclaims the stand-off spot against a team Accies beat 16-8 in the Capital a year ago.

"There is a balance to be struck between helping develop Alex and playing fair by our other prospect, Ruaridh Bonner, who played last week but is now on the bench.

"The great thing is there are a lot of good players around but we still have to get it right."

Other changes see Paul Arnold return at full back with Kinloch switching to centre where Paul Loudon is unavailable and overall Accies rugby seems to be a healthy state with so many players attending training at a time when the clubhouse is being rebuilt that the temporary bar is having to be utilised for changing accommodation.

Elsewhere in the Capital, Boroughmuir and Hawick will again honour the memory of a mutual ex-player.

Hugh Macmaster died in 1992 and a trophy bearing his name will be at stake in the Meggetland clash for which 'Muir are set to give a debut to Edinburgh signing Fraser Mackenzie (ex-Dunfermline and Heriot's).

At Currie it's debut day against Glasgow Hawks for Colin Quigley who has rejoined after two and a half years of pro rugby in Italy and France.

Currie coach Ally Donaldson is also poised to welcome back experienced campaigners in Gavin Scott, Richard Snedden and Kevin McShane but warns: "Hawks are in a bit of a false position at the bottom of the table because their squad is not that much different from the one which was winning trophies.

"So it's pleasing to have a few players returning including Colin Quigley, who damaged a hand in pre-season but, at 27, still has a lot of rugby left in him and a fair amount of experience to draw on."

Also set for a first outing is South African-born scrum-half Ryan Reeves, better known in Edinburgh sporting circles as a cricketer with Corstorphine. Still out with a back injury is Currie captain, Andy Adam.

Heriot's coach Bob McKillop says the availability of back rowers Chris Fusaro and Jamie Syme is giving him one of "the biggest selection headaches in my time at the club" for the trip to West of Scotland.

Says McKillop: "It's the right kind of problem to have with Jamie Parker, Struan Dewar and Tam McVie all playing well but, overall, we need consistency.

"Against Watsonians and Ayr last week we played well in patches during two matches we ended up losing. Ironically, the two games we have won saw us below our best."

Watsonians face their first trip to the Borders and coach Bruce Aitchison says a psychological boost could be on offer by beating Selkirk.

"Winning in the Borders still carries a bit of extra kudos but there could be a backlash with Selkirk going down to Hawick last week."

Edinburgh pro Kyle Traynor is still available to 'Sonians and Kian Coertze returns for the unavailable Andrew Welsh in a pack where Guy Hills is proving a stand out according to skipper Torrie Callander.

"If Guy was starting out instead of in his 30s he'd gain Scotland caps," said Callander. "Guy's technique is unorthodox but he's making around 30 tackles a game which is a huge count and we're also being particularly served well by Ben Di Rollo proving solid in the centre."

This article was posted on 26-Sep-2008, 11:41 by Hugh Barrow.