Ayr v Glasgow Hawks preview

It's Ayr's last home game of the season tonight as they welcome close rivals Glasgow Hawks to Millbrae and they will have a few Glasgow Warriors pulling on the pink and black shirt to help their cause.

With no Rabo Direct Pro12 games this weekend, hooker Dougie Hall, former Ayr and Cumnock player Mark Bennett and Warriors' iconic captain Al Kellock will be running out under the Friday night lights in Alloway.  Hawks will have recent Scotland cap Chris Fusaro in their starting line-up and Ayr will see the return of Finn Russell, who has impressed in several games for the Warriors in the last few weeks.

Ayr head coach Peter Laverie is, as always, looking forward to a keenly contested encounter between the two best teams in the west.

"The sides know each other well and there is always the added edge of local rivalry.  Both teams like to play rugby so it should be an entertaining affair for the supporters and well worth seeing on a Friday night before the rigours of three Six Nations matches on Saturday."

Of course, it was only a few weeks ago that Hawks propelled themselves into the semi-finals of the RBS Cup by beating Ayr, so this is a chance for a little retribution, but Laverie is more concerned about the rest of the season.

"For Ayr, a good performance will set us up nicely for the remainder of the league programme."

As well as the inclusion of the Warriors, other changes include Robbie Fergusson moving on to the wing in place of Craig Gossman, who took at knock to the head playing for the Scotland Club XV last week.  Veteran prop Gordon Sykes makes yet another come-back to take his place on a dynamic bench.

Team:

15. Grant Anderson (capt.), 14. Robbie Fergusson, 13. Mark Bennett, 12. Dean Kelbrick, 11. Kerr Gossman; 10. Finn Russell, 9. Murray McConnell; 1. Denford Mutamangira, 2. Dougie Hall, 3. Stuart Fenwick; 4. Al Kellock, 5. Scott Sutherland; 6. Callum Templeton, 7. Andrew Dunlop, 8. Peter McCallum.

Replacements:

16. Fergus Scott, 17. Gordon Sykes, 18. Craig Brown, 19. Peter Jericevich, 20. Ross Curle.

Kick-off 7.30pm!