Ayr face Hawks in the RBS West Regional Cup final tomorrow at Old Anniesland (kick-off 12pm), with a chance to reach the RBS Scottish Cup quarter-finals and defend the Bill McLaren Shield for the thirteenth time.
It's another west of Scotland derby after last week's victorious encounter with Cartha QP, and several of Ayr's players know Hawks well - Dean Kelbrick, Craig Gossman and Peter Jericevich have previously played for the Glasgow club.
Ayr assistant coach Peter Laverie is full of praise for Glasgow Hawks.
"This will be a difficult game at Anniesland against a team which has been going well and remain serious contenders for the National League title," he says. "We have a strong Cup record, having played in the last three finals at Murrayfield, and we have no intention of giving that up."
Laverie has identified Hawks' Mike Adamson, Ross Miller and Grant Strang as their danger-men, and acknowledges a strong behind-the-scenes team.
"They are well-coached by the effervescent Jamie Dempsey, that wise old sage Jimmy Sinclair and Cammy Little - when he can get a word in edgeways. We expect a few surprises and the touchline banter to be first class, although we are more likely to win that contest."
There are a few changes to this week's team, with Kerr Gossman missing out after unfortunately picking up another arm injury last Saturday. He is replaced by Cammy Taylor. Richard Dalgleish returns at outside centre to cover for Robbie Fergusson, who continues his international duties with the Scotland under-20s squad.
Ross Curle moves to stand-off, as Finn Russell will be in Italy with Glasgow Warriors to face Zebre on Sunday. Murray Beckwith is promoted to the bench after some fine performances for the 2nds. Laverie notes that Beckwith used to "outstrip Mark Bennett for speed in the Glasgow age grade teams", so keep an eye on his fleet footwork. Fellow Wunderkind Gavin Lowe joins him in the replacements.
In the forwards, Zimbabwean international prop Denford Mutamangira makes a welcome return. Nick Cox, however, misses out due to a niggling strain. Veteran tighthead Gordon Sykes bolsters the bench.
Remember the early kick-off of 12pm, allowing everyone plenty of time to roar on Ayr's Pat MacArthur, should he make his Scotland debut v Italy!
Team (subject to change on match day):
15. Grant Anderson, 14. Cammy Taylor, 13. Richard Dalgleish, 12. Dean Kelbrick, 11. Craig Gossman; 10. Ross Curle, 9. Peter Jericevich; 1. Byron Schmidt, 2. Stuart Fenwick, 3. Denford Mutamangira; 4. Scott Sutherland, 5. Colin White; 6. Graham Fisken, 7. Andrew Dunlop, 8. Calum Forrester (capt).
Replacements:
16. David Young, 17. Gordon Sykes, 18. Ross Doneghan, 19. Gavin Lowe, 20. Murray Beckwith.
Kick-off 12pm, Old Anniesland.
- Elena Hogarth
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