ROUND 10: PREMIER 1 PREVIEW
Friday, 22 October 2010

Just two games in Premier 1 and 2 remain until the divisions split and the clubs launch into battle for their respective championships, for promotion and to avoid relegation.
In Premier 1, all but two of the league’s top eight places have been guaranteed and, with Selkirk and Watsonians mathematically out of the running, the four remaining clubs (Dundee, Stirling County, West of Scotland and Hawick) will battle it out to make the league’s top tier.
Seventh placed Dundee are just one win away from securing the seventh spot in the top eight though they can expect no favours from a West of Scotland side also desperate to make the cut.
In Premier 2, the top four places for the post-split promotion battle with the bottom four of Premier 1 are mathematically available to the top seven clubs however, with numerous notable heads-to-heads featuring in the final two games, expect nothing less than a dramatic finish.
This weekend’s Scottish Rugby Premier 1 fixtures (kick-off 3pm) – Dundee v West of Scotland, Hawick v Currie, Glasgow Hawks v Selkirk, Heriot's v Boroughmuir, Melrose v Watsonians, Ayr v Stirling County
This weekend’s Scottish Rugby Premier 2 fixtures (kick-off 3pm) – Falkirk v Edinburgh Accies, Gala v Kirkcaldy, Aberdeen Grammar v Jed-Forest, GHA v Peebles, Biggar v Kelso, Stewart’s Melville v Hillhead/Jordanhill
DUNDEE v WEST OF SCOTLAND, MAYFIELD
Seventh placed Dundee are just one win away from securing the seventh spot in the top eight though they can expect no favours from a West of Scotland also desperate to make the cut.
Dundee team news: Injuries and availability have forced Dundee to shuffle their pack. The injured Rob Gray is replaced by Rob Cessford at open-side flanker, the unavailable Richie Hawkins is replaced by Ryan Milne (who moves to blind-side) and Chris Cumming moves into the second-row. Alan Brown swaps places with Darrel Rusell at tight-head to return to the starting lineup. In the backs Conor Wade drops out and is replaced by Colin Strachan.
Dundee head coach, Ian Rankin, said: “Everyone has committed to a better performance than last week where we let things slip against a very well organised defensive effort by Boroughmuir. West, although well beaten last week, scored four tries in their defeat to Melrose, their young squad is improving every week and, like ourselves, are desperate for points.”
West of Scotland news: West welcome the return of Jenkinson, Walker and Longwell.
West of Scotland head coach, Keith Robertson, said: “We are expecting another tough fixture but we must learn to play for the full 80mins not in small bursts.”
Dundee team:Peter Murchie; Matt Smith, Harry Duthie, Colin Strachan, James Fleming; Rick McKenna, Andy Dymock; Neil Dymock CAPTAIN, Simon Forrest, Alan Brown, Andy Linton, Chris Cumming, Ryan Milne, Rob Cessford, Danny Levison
Substitutes: Callum Kerr, Darrell Rusell, Richie McIver, Jamie Morrison, Stewart Coleman
West of Scotland team: M Simm; J Curteis, L Menzies, M Horner, C McKenzie; A Stevenson, M Davis; E McLaren G Haswell G Ross M Jenkinson R McAlpine J Walker A De Ste Croix G Fiskin CAPTAIN
Substitutes: S Carmichel, S Longwell, S MacDonald, C Thwaites, K Matheson
HAWICK v CURRIE, MANSFIELD PARK
In ninth place, Hawick are inches outside the reckoning and will likely see Stirling County as their main competition for the top eight. The Borderers have a their work cut out as the champions come to call but, with so much at stake, there would be not better time for the greens to get their first home win of the season.
Currie team news: Currie have made one change to the team that beat Stirling last weekend with Hayden Abercrombie getting his first start on the wing after being out since September. John Cox, Gary Temple and Steve Burton return to the bench.
Currie head coach, Ally Donaldson, said: “Hawick at Mansfield and desperate for points will be extremely tough – they have had a lot of tight games and not conceded a lot of points. For our part we are improving and the squad is getting stronger each week.”
Currie team: Matthew Scott; Hayden Abercrombie, James Johnstone, Andy MacMahon, Douglas Fife; Andrew Binikos, Richard Sneddenl Ross Merrilees, Fergus Scott, Alastair Hamilton, Ryan Wilson, Adam Best, Mark Cairns CAPTAIN, Michale Entwhistle, Ross Weston
Substitutes: Stu Simonsen, John Cox, Steve Burton, Johnny Smith, Andrew Turnbull
AYR v STIRLING COUNTY, MILLBRAE
Eighth-placed Stirling are currently in position to progress to the top-eight but with their remaining two fixtures against cup holders Ayr this weekend followed by the league’s current runners-up, Melrose, it will take a big effort to keep their current league position. Look out for Ayr’s bolstered home support with more than 350 women and girls making the trip to Millbrae to the club’s ladies’ day.
Ayr team news: Ayr have made several changes to the squad that played Watsonians last week. Jono Crossan returns from injury and starts on the blind-side, 17-year-old Robbie Ferguson starts at full-back in place of Dougie Steele, Scott Forest returns from Scotland 7s’ Commonwealth Games duty and Frazier Climo has returned from New Zealand, both of whom start on the bench.
Ayr head coach, Kenny Murray, said: “Last week Watsonians proved that irrespective of league position every team in P1 can hurt you if you switch off. This was an important lesson for us.
“Stirling County have two games left to try and stay in the top eight so we anticipate a very tough encounter on Saturday. Their battle with Hawick for the eighth place could be the most intriguing aspect of the league. Not many teams put 30 points past Currie so we will have to be at our best for 80 minutes on to get a win.”
Stirling County head coach, Eddie Pollock, said: “We’ve another tough game in store at Ayr in a very strong league. Dave Denton replaces Grant Gilchrist who has been selected for Edinburgh while Struan Robertson comes on to the bench. We were strong in attack last week against Currie and will be looking to continue developing this area at Millbrae.”
Ayr team: Robbie Ferguson; Andy Wilson, Mark Bennett, Richard McCallum, Cammy Taylor; AJ MacFarlane, Ross Curle; Gordon Reid, Pat McArthur, Stuart Fenwick, Damien Kelly, Dean Stewart, Jono Crossan, Robbie Colhoun, Glen Tippett
Substitutes: Frazier Climo, Scott Forrest, Scott Nimmo, Ryan Wilson, Gordon Sykes
Stirling County team: Robbie McGowan; Mike Doneghan, Ben Addison, Brian Archibald, Graeme Lindsay; Jonny Hope, Graeme Calder; Mike McDonald, Alex Moffat, Craig Black, Craig Deacons, Tyler Edwards, Colin Eadie, Dave Denton, Bengy Barsanti
Substitutes: Andy Simpson, Gary Mountford, Struan Robertson, Robbie Boswell, David Llyal
HERIOT'S v BOROUGHMUIR, GOLDENACRE
Having both confirmed their place in the top eight last week, both halves of this Edinburgh derby have the luxury of looking ahead to the post-split battle for the title and one of the three British & Irish Cup spots.
Boroughmuir team news: The bulk of the squad remains unchanged for this week’s match against Heriot’s. Edinburgh prop Jack Gilding is set to start in the front-row, Tom McColl in the second-row, Derek O’Riordan into the back-row while brothers Joni and Mark Hare come onto the bench.
Boroughmuir head coach, Peter Blackhall, said: “Phil & Fergus have kept the boys grounded this week in training, knowing that this local derby will be a hard game, especially as Heriot’s are only one point behind us.”
Heriot’s squad from: (Backs) Oliver J Brown, Glenn Bryce, Cameron Ferguson, Colin Goudie, Gregor Hunter, Max Learmonth, Callum Mark, Max Nimmo, Greg Walker, Graham Wilson, (forwards) Wullie Blacklock, Scott Burnett, Kevin Bryce , Gavin Cameron, Struan Dewar, Alan Dymock, Peter Eccles, Jason Hill, Mark Lee, Chukwuma Osazuwa, Matthew Reid, Jamie Syme

Boroughmuir team: Harris Jones; Sam Johnson, Malcolm Clapperton, Harry Leonard, Ross Neill; Ali Warnock, Ross Samson; Nick Fraser, Callum MacIntosh, Jack Gilding, Greig Scott, Tom McColl, Derek O'Riordan, Neil Rodger, Jamie Doubleday
Substitutes: Mark Hare, Greg Jones, Jonny Latta, Andrew Rose, Joni Hare
GLASGOW HAWKS v SELKIRK, OLD ANNIESLAND
Like Heriot’s and Boroughmuir, Hawks’s place in the top eight is secure and they will be hell bent on keeping their current B&I Cup slot (3rd) with a win over a side destined to battle the Premier 2 teams in the second eight for the right to play in Premier 1 next season.
Glasgow Hawks team news: Mike Adamson returns from the Commonwealth Games and starts at stand-off and Craig Gossman returns at full-back after injury. Up front Gary Strain starts along with Ryan Grant from Glasgow Warriors in the front-row and Nick Campbell at lock. In the back-row, Grant Strang comes in for Rory McKay.
Glasgow Hawks head coach, Peter Wright, said: “There are no easy games in Premier 1, it is going to be a very tough game.”

Selkirk team news: Selkirk welcome the return of Lee Jones and Scott Hendrie back into the fold.
Selkirk head coach, Graham Marshall, said: “We’re expecting a very hard game at Hawks who are going well however we see this as ideal preparation for the play off games.”
Glasgow hawks team: Craig Gossman; Joffy White , Dean Kelbrick, David Milne, Kerr Gossman; Mike Adamson, Kris Hamilton; Gary Strain, Eric Milligan, Ryan Grant, Rory Hamilton, Nick Campbell, Grant Strang, Bart Karalus, Ross Miller
Substitutes: Adrian Smith, George Hunter, Andy Hill, Robbie Hair, Tom Preece
Selkirk squad: Fraser Harkness, Scott Hendrie, David Cassidy, Ross Nixon, Lee Jones, Michael McVie, Nyle Godsmark, Darren Clapperton, Ally Lyall, Gordon Patterson, Stuart Forrest, Matthew Weller, Rob Taylor, Matthew Martin, Neil Darling, Connor Patton, Callum Marshall, Callum Johnstone, Ryan Godsmark, Simon Willett
MELROSE v WATSONIANS, GREENYARDS
One of the form teams of the season, Melrose, will look to steamroll last-placed Watsonians who have just one win to show for their efforts thus far.
Melrose team news: Callum Anderson returns on the right wing in place of Chris Hardie. Alex Blair has returned from the Commonwealth Games starts on the left wing instead of Cammie Murray who drops to the bench. Scott McCormick starts at scrum-half. Only change in the forwards is Graham Innes replaces Wayne Mitchell – Richard Ferguson comes in on the bench.
Melrose head coach, Craig Chalmers, said: “This is a good opportunity for one or two players to put their markers down this weekend. Although Watsonian’s results have been disappointing this season, I look at their team and see an awful lot of quality players. We lost this fixture last season, so we are preparing for a tough game up front and are also wary of the dangerous runners they have in the backline.”
Watsonians news: In the backs there are two personnel changes and a number of positional changes. Matt Henderson comes in on the wing for his first top team appearance of the season after doing well for the 2nd XV and Andrew Skeen is back at outside-centre. Andrew Killerby and Doug Brown are missing. The pack, which did well against Currie and Ayr, stays the same. On the bench teenage back-row Chris Scott gets a first call-up as does centre Tom Rainey.
Melrose team: F Thomson; C Anderson, I Murray, E Ford, A Blair; S Wight, S Mccormick; N Little, G Innes, G Holborn, G Elder, H Mitchell, J Dalziel, G Runciman, G Dodds
Substitutes: R Ferguson, N Beavon, R Miller, C Hardie, C Murray
Watsonians team: Jamie Forbes; Matt Henderson, Andrew Skeen CAPTAIN, Alan Nash, Craig Sorbie; Ross Aitken, Jamie Blackwood; Scott Laird, Nick Hart, Kian Coertze, Donald Seed, Dan Gorman, Sergiu Ursache, Andrew Porter, Harris Grant
Substitutes: Craig Owenson, Dougie Orr, Chris Scott, Mike Ker, Tom Rainey

This article was posted on 22-Oct-2010, 10:11 by Hugh Barrow.