The Scotsman reports
Former Scotland cap Barry Stewart will be the star turn when the Co-optimists play their second festive fixture this evening against Watsonians at Myreside.


The select side defeated Edinburgh Accies 31-14 in an entertaining match on Tuesday afternoon at Raeburn Place, but their squad has completely changed for tonight’s 7pm kick-off.

Earlier in the week the players chosen were all pushing for club international selection, while the squad named for tonight’s match is filled with many ex-Watsonians players and is augmented by experienced prop Stewart and ex-Ulster second-row Mark Blair.

Stewart, who made his debut for Scotland against New Zealand 15 years ago, played for Edinburgh Accies, Edinburgh, Sale Sharks and Northampton during his career. Blair, meanwhile, is now a development manager for Irish Rugby and will enjoy being back in the Capital to meet up with old friends from his days spent at Currie.

In terms of the ex-Watsonians contingent, that includes Lasswade trio Jamie Blackwood, Bernie Hennessey and Gavin Brown. Full-back Blackwood only left Watsonians in the summer to join the ambitious club, while experienced campaigners Hennessey and Brown have been key players as the Midlothian outfit has gained numerous promotions in the last few years.

Other former “home” players in the Co-ops line-up are Jeff Nicolson, back from Abu Dhabi for Christmas and New Year, Grant Somerville, Niall Dennis, Gregor Wood and Donald Seed.

In the backs former Scotland under-20 player Brian Archibald starts at centre with Hennessey, while the scrum-half duties will be shared by Alan Bennie and Neil Clark, with Greenock Wanderers Kenny Diffenthal at stand-off. In the pack young Melrose prop Chris Keen is set to start in the front row alongside Stirling County skipper Alex Moffat and Stewart, while club international cap George Oommen is in the back row.

Due to question marks over injuries and availability, Watsonians coach Marcus Di Rollo has delayed naming his squad.

This article was originally posted on 29-Dec-2011, 07:59 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 29-Dec-2011, 08:04.