After a few weeks without a game due to adverse weather conditions, Ayr will be back on the pitch at Millbrae tomorrow to face west coast rivals Glasgow Hawks in the quarter-finals of the RBS Cup.
Whether facing off in the cup or the league, the two sides always have intense matches. Their last encounter was back in September in the league, with Ayr recording a five-try 32-26 victory at Old Anniesland. But Hawks will no doubt fancy their chances after coming through the pool stages of the competition and securing the RBS West Regional Cup, which they lost to Ayr last season in a fiery contest.
"I'm sure the players will be up for it," says Ayr head coach Peter Laverie. "There are always interesting battles between these teams since everyone knows each other very well."
Despite Ayr's recent winning record against Hawks, Laverie knows that anything can happen in this competition.
"The Cup provides a very different challenge because it is a one-off game and so maximum concentration is needed for the eighty minutes (or longer) to prevail."
Laverie, naturally, has every faith in his team and Ayr's sixteenth man - the fans. "We have a strong squad ready to go with a very capable bench and as ever the Millbrae crowd to cheer us on."
All seven players who were involved in the Scotland Club XV match against Ireland last week are back in Ayr's match day squad. Ross Curle starts at stand-off as Finn Russell is on duty with Glasgow Warriors.
A very strong bench features the return of Stuart Fenwick and a fit-again Denford Mutamangira.
Team:
15. Grant Anderson, 14. Craig Gossman, 13. Robbie Fergusson, 12. Dean Kelbrick, 11. Kerr Gossman; 10. Ross Curle, 9. Murray McConnell; 1. George Hunter, 2. Fergus Scott, 3. Nick Cox; 4. Callum Templeton, 5. Scott Sutherland; 6. Graham Fisken, 7. Andrew Dunlop, 8. Peter McCallum.
Replacements:
16. Stuart Fenwick, 17. Denford Mutamangira, 18. Graham Williamson, 19. Peter Jericevich, 20. Danny McCluskey.
Kick-off 2.30pm. Live scores will be available via Twitter.
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