Heriot's v Watsonians
Last season’s runners-up are still without a win and will be desperate to put one over city rivals Watsonians. The visitors welcome associated pro player Steven Turnbull from Edinburgh Rugby into the side for the first time this season as a replacement for Andy Fisher in the second-row. Scotland under-20 pair Stuart McInally (number 8) and Ashleah McCulloch (outside-centre) join the side after playing their part in Scotland under-20’s 2009 IRB Junior World Championship in Japan.
Ayr v Boroughmuir
The Champions take on the former champions at Millbrae this weekend and are boosted by the presence of associated professional prop Ed Kalman who will start on the bench. Andy Dunlop replaces Glen Tippett at number 8 with Tippett dropping to the bench. Ayr head coach, Kenny Murray, said: “The Watsonians game last week proved a stern test and highlighted key areas for improvement. This week’s game will be another mountain to climb with Boroughmuir coming to Millbrae with a 100% record." Boroughmuir travel west with associated Edinburgh pro, Andrew Easson, back in the Boroughmuir frontline for his first start in the blue and green. He’s joined by another associated pro Justin Va’a (Glasgow Warriors).
West of Scotland v Edinburgh Accies
Injury has forced Edinburgh Accies to shuffle side that beat Selkirk last weekend. David Rattray comes in for Chris Dickie (achillies), Alex Blair moves up to centre from full-back for Stevie Wilson (ankle) while associated Edinburgh professional scrum-half, Ross Sampson, fills the vacancy on the bench. Edinburgh Accies head coach, Ian Barnes, said: “If we can continue the form we have shown in first two league games then we must be in with a chance but we must remember how badly we shot ourselves in the foot in the equivalent fixture last season. We have to get it into our heads that a rugby match lasts for 80 minutes."
Selkirk v Glasgow Hawks
Gavin MacDonald's replacement of the injured Steven Duffy (eye) is the only change to a Glasgow Hawks side that put 46 points past Stewart’s-Melville without reply. Head coach Peter Wright said: “It’s good having the consistency of selection having performed well in our opening two games. We need to move on as a team and start to convert the many chances we are creating into points – something we have worked on this week at training."
Stewart’s-Melville v Dundee HSFP
A hard fought encounter in foul weather at Inverleith was one of only two defeats for Dundee last season and although both teams are much changed from that meeting, the Mayfielders can be sure of an equally testing welcome as both seek their first win since promotion to the top division. Dundee High head coach, Ian Rankin, said: "The ability to close out games is one of the many skills that have to be learned by all players after creating match winning positions, and after the massive disappointment of losing in the final play of a pulsating game at Mayfield last Saturday to Melrose, the squad are bursting at the seams to put that behind them at Inverleith.” To add extra spice to what is already tipped to be a fiercly contested encounter is the inclusion of Edinburgh Rugby props Ryan Grant and David Young who are set to go head-to-head for their associate clubs.
Currie v Melrose
Associated professional winger Chris Kinloch get first starts for the Wasps after being on the bench for the first two games while fellow pro, David Blair, joins the bench for his first run out in the black and yellow. Try scorer and match-winner, Peter Horne, runs out once more for his associate club while the hotly tipped 18-year-old, Grant Runciman, retains his place after coming off the bench for his first taste of Scottish Hydro Premier 1 Rugby last weekend. Head coach Craig Chalmers said: As always this looks like being a very tough match. Currie have had two convincing wins and will no doubt be very confident. For our part we are looking forward to the challenge after a quite remarkable comeback last week.“

This article was posted on 11-Sep-2009, 20:42 by Hugh Barrow.