After last week's muddy close encounter with Hillhead/Jordanhill at Millbrae, Ayr will be hoping their next RBS West Regional Cup home match will find them back on solid ground. They welcome GHA to Alloway on Saturday for a fourth defence of the Bill McLaren Shield and a chance to be the first team to get their name on the wonderful trophy.
Despite the difference in leagues, Ayr head coach Kenny Murray is not underestimating GHA.
"They will be tough and ambitious and aiming to really test themselves and measure their progress, as they have stated publicly," he says. "It will be an interesting battle in the back lines as our young guys go head-to-head with the likes of former internationalist Andy Henderson and Welsh rugby league convert Hefin O'Hare."
He continues: "With the effects of the weather, it will be a turgid battle up front and this is where the game will be won and lost. Whilst the Braidholm men will have other ideas, we must look to ourselves for a determined and focussed performance."
There are a few changes to the team this week as Scott Sutherland and Calum Forrester are rested after picking up knocks. Colin White and Graham Fisken replace them. Scrum-half Sylvain Diez, hooker David Young and Peter McCallum in the back row are promoted from the bench. Exciting young prospect Danny McCluskey takes his place among the substitutes.
Team (subject to change on match day):
Grant Anderson, Cammy Taylor, Robbie Fergusson, Richard Dalgleish, Craig Gossman; Finn Russell, Sylvain Diez; Byron Schmidt, David Young, Denford Mutamangira; Nick Campbell, Colin White; Peter McCallum, Andrew Dunlop, Graham Fisken.
Replacements: Hayden Wisnewski, Stewart Kerr, Shingai Mpofu, Peter Jericevich, Danny McCluskey.
Please note the early kick-off time of 12.30pm.
- Elena Hogarth.
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