BT Premiership Division 1

Biggar v Stewart's-Melville

Unless there are any last-minute injuries, Biggar will field the side who accounted for Stirling County last weekend, even though a club spokesman said they should have won the match much more easily. "We made far too many enforced errors, but we're not far away from clicking."

With Matt Dey unavailable, the Colleges switch former Scotland winger Craig Joiner to centre, with either David McCall or David Sutherland replacing him on the wing.

Boroughmuir v Stirling County

The home side make a few changes after their poor display against Ayr. The former Merchiston Castle flanker, Sam Paolo, makes his debut in an otherwise unchanged pack, while former Stirling player Alan Sievewright returns at stand-off, with Andrew Hadden at inside centre and Robert Cairns on the left wing.

Stirling field a new pair of half-backs in debutant scrum-half Stewart McGhee and the experienced David Arneil, while teenage lock Steve Turnbull is included in the pack.


Currie v Melrose

Cammy Murray, the former Hawick, Reivers and Scotland winger could make his Melrose debut today at full-back, taking over from James King who sustained a head knock in the win over Hawick. Another change sees former Currie winger Geoff Caldwell recalled in place of the injured David Whiteford.

Currie may well make a change or two behind the scrum as they scorned a host of chances at Inverleith, while captain Andy Adam returns at lock in place of the injured Ben Miller.

Hawick v Aberdeen GSFP

Home coach Jim Hay gives another local youngster a taste of senior rugby, John Coutts, of the PSA, coming in on the left wing, with Keith Hedley switching to full-back in place of David Irving. That makes four teenagers in the back division.

Aberdeen, buoyed by their thrilling victory over Heriot's, bring in ex-Aboyne prop Matt Dixon for the injured Duncan Massey, while Grant Strang returns at No 8, with Rory McKay moving up to lock in place of Aaron Pullman, who is ill.

Glasgow Hawks v Ayr

Glasgow Hawks introduce Nick Lear on the right wing, the former Jordanhill CS player having returned to Glasgow after a spell at Loughborough College. There is also a change on the left, with Steve Gordon having regained full fitness. Up front, Greg Francis starts in place of Scott Forrest.

Not surprisingly, Ayr coach Craig Redpath stays with the XV who defeated Boroughmuir as they attempt to make it three wins out of four games.

Heriot's v Watsonians

Both sides went down by almost identical scores last Saturday so neither can afford to lose today if they have serious title aspirations. The visitors' Alan Nash broke his nose against Hawks and is out for six weeks. Will Campbell is the likely deputy, while there may also be a change at stand-off.

Heriot's give a league debut to Cammy Bruce, who lines up with his former Hawick colleagues John Houston and Roddy Deans, while Tam McVie is fielded in the back-row.

This article was posted on 17-Sep-2005, 07:57 by Hugh Barrow.