Ust three games remain in Premier A with the top four teams battling it in a number of crucial head to heads over the next month.
Just one piont seperates the top two sides (Glasgow Hawks and Melrose) who go head to head in a mouth-watering match Old Anniesland.
Missing from this weekend’s fixture list is third-placed Ayr whose exploits in the B & I Cup have earned them a place in the the last 16 where they face Bristol Rugby on Sunday 6 March. They'll play their catch-up match with Currie on Saturday 26 March, a game which will be crucial to the championship run-in and qualification for next season’s British & Irish Cup.
Heriot’s match at Dundee’s Mayfield is must win for the Edinburgh club if they are to relive their experience in the inaugural 2009/10 season of British & Irish Cup while a whole heap of pride is at stake as Boroughmuir host Hawick at Meggetland in a bottom of the table clash.
GLASGOW HAWKS v MELROSE, OLD ANNIESLAND
This is a huge game for both clubs, with the winner ending the day in pole position in the championship run in.
Glasgow Hawks team news: Head coach Peter Wright has welcomed the selection headache brought by a fully fit squad. He'll field the same team that defeated Heriot’s a couple of weeks ago and welcomes the release of Glasgow Warriors Colin Shaw who will play against the team he represented last week in the British & Irish Cup.
Peter Wright, Glasgow Hawks head coach, said: “This has the makings of being a cracking game and Hawks know it will be a difficult challenge with Melrose coming of some great performances in the B & I cup.”
Melrose team news: Scott Wight, Joe Helps, Robert Chrystie and Wayne Mitchell all return to the starting line-up after being rested last weekend. Scott McCormick also returns to the bench.
Melrose head coach, Craig Chalmers, said: “Glasgow Hawks have had a great season and are an extremely tough team to play against, especially at Old Anniesland. We come off the back of a tough B&I cup match which I hope will set us up nicely for the battle ahead. This should be a hugely entertaining game. A massive performance is needed from us to come away with the victory we desire – it should be a cracker.”
Glasgow Hawks team: Colin Shaw; Craig Gossman, Dean Kelbrick, David Milne, Robbie Hair; Mike Adamson, Kris Hamilton; Adrian Smith, Eric Milligan, Gary Strain, Ross Miller, Nick Campbell, Rory McKay, Bart Karalus, Grant Strang
Substitutes: Scott Cameron, Nico Nyamba, Rory Hamilton, Peter Jericevich, Tom Preece
Melrose team: F Thomson; C Anderson, J Murray, J Helps, A Dodds; S Wight, R Chrystie, N Beavon, W Mitchell, G Holborn, G Elder, R Miller, J Dalziel, G Runciman, G Dodds
Substitutes: G Innes, R Higgins, H Mitchell, S McCormick, C Jackson, D McColl
HAWICK v BOROUGHMUIR, MANSFIELD PARK
With proud traditions in both camps, these clubs will be desperate to avoid propping up Premier A for over long. This bottom of the table clash provides the perfect opportunity to challenge the mid-table.
Boroughmuir team news: Muir will field the same pack that played against Peebles last week and welcome the addition of the mobile Glasgow Warriors’ back-row, Chris Fusaro, who starts on the bench.
Boroughmuir team: Harris Jones; Tom Bury, Malcolm Clapperton, Stevie Wilson, Ross Neil; Ally Warnock, Sam Johnson; Nick Fraser, Sean Crombie, Jonny Latta, Tom McColl, Ali Davidson, Andrew Rose, Neil Rodger, Jamie Doubleday
Substitutes: Greg Jones, Josh Duley, Derek O'Riordan, Chris Fursaro, David Reekie
Hawick team news to follow...

This article was posted on 4-Mar-2011, 11:20 by Hugh Barrow.