EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS REPORTS

By BILL LOTHIAN
DAVE McCALL today pledged to repay Heriot's for making him their first draft pick – starting with tomorrow's Scottish Hydro Premiership clash against Currie at Goldenacre.
A man-of-the-match award when Heriot's captured the national cup last Spring proved the catalyst for threequarter McCall to return to the professional ranks with Glasgow, having previously turned out three times for Edinburgh up until March 2007.

And, as he settles back into the Celtic League environment, McCall quickly finds himself returning to Heriot's on release for some game-time.

Although his aim, obviously, is to cement a regular place at the higher level, there are benefits as McCall points out. "Heriot's and especially coach Bob McKillop have done a lot for my rugby career," he said. "I could have gone ended up anywhere in the draft but having had so many good times at Heriot's it was very encouraging that they wanted to continue our association.

"I still live around the corner from the club so I keep in close touch and, when not needed by Glasgow, it is ideal to be playing for Heriot's."

McCall needs no reminding of the potential about to be unleashed in the Heriot's back-line provided a pack in which Matt Reid is expected to shake off a foot injury and return at second row can claim sufficient possession.

"Rory Hutton is the up and coming stand off and I'm looking forward to playing centre to him while there is so much pace out wide where Marc Teague has returned from Edinburgh and Colin Goudie is perhaps the next Heriot's player to earn a contract." Already a clubs' internationalist and coming towards the end of medical studies, Goudie still has time to make his mark full-time according to McCall who paid tribute to the man who topped the Heriot's try-charts in 2008-09 with 22.

McCall, who was on the mark 19 times himself, said: "At times Colin's achievements seem to go under the radar. To score 22 tries in a premiership season was special and not enough notice was taken of that. Colin is not only very quick but also extremely solid in defence."

On his own aspirations McCall, who scored two tries for Glasgow coming off the bench in a pre-season win at Doncaster and also figured in a couple of games on tour in France says: "I feel more experienced than when I was a pro at Edinburgh and after a summer in the gym I feel well prepared."

That has to be a source of concern to Currie, especially as McCall was a double try-scorer last time the teams met.

For the visitors from Malleny Park, Ross Weston is back at No.8 after a short absence while Andrew Reekie is restored to the bench alongside Glasgow winger Chris Kinloch, who made a big impact when he was introduced against Dundee High last week.

Looking ahead to other matches in the Premiership, Watsonians include Edinburgh winger Andy Turnbull for a home meeting with Ayr while up front Scotland A cap Mark Rennie debuts at flanker while Andy Fisher is back at second row.

Despite opening with a win over Heriot's last week, champions Ayr make three changes. On the wing Jonny McClung takes over from the injured Steve Manning while up front Gordon Sykes and Kiwi Jon Crossan are listed at prop and flanker.

Boroughmuir list the squad that won at Selkirk for their Meggetland meeting with a three-change West team. There are first starts for Matt Bradford and Robert McAlpine at prop and second row while captain David Young is fit to resume at flanker.

Selkirk head for Edinburgh Accies with an idea of what to expect based on a recent sevens encounter.

"Having met Accies in the recent sevens they are very physical and we will have to match that physicality in order to get something out of the game," said a club spokesman.

Refusing to panic after their first home league defeat in two years last week, by Boroughmuir, the Souters make just one injury-enforced change on the bench where David Gray replaces flanker Calum Johnston.

Glasgow Hawks coach Peter Wright has warned his team to beware a backlash from Stewart's Melville ahead of their Anniesland clash. "Stew-Mel will be smarting after their defeat against Edinburgh Accies so it is important we don't underestimate them," said Wright who makes two changes from the side which lost at Melrose with Gary Strain coming in at prop and Cammy Kerr called up to the back row.

For Stewart's Melville, versatile Stuart Ker returns at full back, replacing Alex Jessop who has concussion while captain Richard Borthwick returning to his favourite position on the wing with Alex Cox back in midfield. In the pack Edinburgh prop Ryan Grant strengthens the front row and Ross Sutherland (ex-Murrayfield) makes his debut.

This article was posted on 4-Sep-2009, 13:35 by Hugh Barrow.