Ayr v Currie preview

After last week's disheartening defeat at the hands of Melrose, Ayr remain on home ground and prepare to welcome Currie to Millbrae.

Another tough match is expected as the Edinburgh club look for their first win of the season.  Ayr will be desperate to get their league campaign back on track after what head coach Peter Laverie has called an "important wake-up call".

"Last week's disappointing performance against a good Melrose side has certainly focussed our minds," he says.  "Despite some excellent passages of play our standards were not set high enough and discipline let us down, none of which is to take anything away from Melrose's deserved victory."

He continues: "We must look at ourselves and where improvements are needed.  The players have worked hard in training and they will be keen to put on a good show in what will be another test against a difficult Currie side."

Ayr's cause will be helped by the return of talented young stand-off Finn Russell who spent the summer in Canterbury on the McPhail Scholarship and featured in Glasgow Warriors' pre-season friendlies.  He's joined by Warriors team-mates flanker James Eddie, who has turned out in the pink and black before, and hooker Dougie Hall, who provides cover on a very strong bench.

Craig Gossman has recovered from injury and takes his place on the left wing with younger brother Kerr on the right.  Inside centre Dean Kelbrick returns to the line-up and Scotland under-20s prop James Malcolm starts at loose head.


Team:
15. Grant Anderson, 14. Kerr Gossman, 13. Robbie Fergusson, 12. Dean Kelbrick, 11. Craig Gossman; 10. Finn Russell, 9. Peter Jericevich; 1. James Malcolm, 2. Fergus Scott, Nick Cox; 4. Scott Sutherland, 5. Colin White; 6. James Eddie, 7. Graham Fisken, 8. Calum Forrester (capt).

Replacements:
16. Dougie Hall, 17. Denford Mutamangira, 18. Callum Templeton, 19. Murray McConnell, 20. Ross Curle.


EH