Heriot's v Ayr preview

Ayr have their first away game of 2016/17 and it's a tough trip on the cards as they face Heriot's at Goldenacre on Saturday, kicking off at 3pm.

The two last met in the BT Premiership grand final in April but have had contrasting fortunes at the start of the new season. Ayr began on a high with an eight-try win against Currie but Heriot's were defeated by this year's new boys, Watsonians, and also lost the BT Charity Shield the previous week.

The Ayr coaching team of Calum Forrester, Scott Forrest and Glen Tippett has prepared the players to face a wounded animal.

"This Heriot's side will be hurting after a couple of recent losses," says head coach Forrester. "Last season, these matches were close encounters, with only a few points separating the sides and we expect the same again on Saturday."

Full-back Grant Anderson's return from injury moves Craig Gossman back to his usual position of wing and Cameron Taylor on to the bench.

Will Bordill is back at openside flanker and Lee Scott makes way for Blair Macpherson at blindside. Lewis Anderson is on the bench too.

Ayr
15. Grant Anderson; 14. Jamie Bova, 13. Archie Russell, 12. Ross Curle, 11. Craig Gossman; 10. Frazier Climo, 9. David Armstrong; 1. George Hunter, 2. David Young, 3. Steven Longwell; 4. Craig Stevenson, 5. Robert McAlpine; 6. Blair Macpherson, 7. Will Bordill, 8. Pete McCallum (c).
Substitutes
16. Lewis Anderson, 17. Adam Prentice, 18. Lee Scott, 19. Cameron Taylor, 20. Danny McCluskey.

Heriot's
15. Gavin Parker; 14. Jordan Webster, 13. Josh Laird, 12. John Semple, 11. Andy McLean; 10. Alex Hagart, 9. Andrew Simmers; 1. Murray McCallum, 2. Michael Liness, 3. Struan Cessford; 4. Callum Marshall, 5. Clarke Smith; 6. George Turner, 7. Jack McLean, 8. Struan Dewar.
Substitutes
16. Ruaridh Mitchell, 17. Martin Bouab, 18. Cornell Du Preez, 19. Rory Carmichael, 20. Harry Boisseau.

Kick-off 3pm! Follow the 1st XV scores live on Twitter and the 2nd XV scores via the Ultimate Rugby app.