Ayr v Gala preview

The new season of the BT Premiership couldn't kick-off with a more meaty encounter at Millbrae than Ayr against Gala.  After the men in pink and black denied the Maroons their chance to get their hands on the league title at Netherdale four months ago by just a point, George Graham's troops will be seeking revenge.

Ayr will also be looking to get things off to a good start under the watchful eyes of the new coaching team of Calum Forrester, Scott Forrest and Glen Tippett, all former players at the club.

Head coach Forrester believes that the tough pre-season friendlies against Jersey and Blaydon will stand them in good stead for the challenges of the BT Premiership, especially their opening encounter.

"These games have helped us prepare for the physicality that we know Gala will bring.  Matches between Ayr and Gala are always a battle and we expect similar again this weekend."

The squad is a mixture of familiar and new faces, with recent recruits Fraser Watt and Robert McAlpine starting at prop and lock respectively.  Blair MacPherson returns from a spell at Hillhead/Jordanhill to take his place at number eight and new Glasgow Warriors signing Murray McConnell is lurking on the bench after the Scotstoun side released him for the day.

It's a youthful half-back combination as teenager Danny McCluskey starts at stand-off and last season's second XV player of the year David Armstrong is named at scrum-half.  Dean Kelbrick leads the team from inside centre.

It's Ladies' Day on Saturday, with the bi-annual charity lunch this time raising funds for research into Hodgkin Lymphoma.  The Millbrae crowd will be bolstered by three hundred female supporters, cheering on the team on what is sure to be a great start to the new season.

Ayr:

15. Grant Anderson, 14. Craig Gossman, 13. Ross Curle, 12. Dean Kelbrick (capt), 11. Kerr Gossman; 10. Daniel McCluskey, 9. David Armstrong; 1. Nick Cox, 2. Fergus Scott, 3. Fraser Watt; 4. Robert McAlpine, 5. Scott Sutherland; 6. Callum Templeton, 7. Andrew Dunlop, 8. Blair MacPherson.

Replacements:
16. James Malcolm, 17. Stuart Fenwick, 18. Peter McCallum, 19. Murray McConnell, 20. Gavin Lowe.


Gala:

15. Craig Dods, 14. Graham Speirs, 13. Chris Auld, 12. Alan Eamon, 11. Grant Somerville; 10 Ruairi Howarth, 9. George Graham; 1. Luke Pettie, 2. Russell Anderson, 3. Ewan Johnstone; 4. Chris Weir, 5. Opeta Palepoi; 6. Gary Graham, 7. Stevie Cairns, 8. Tom Weir.

Replacements:
16. Callum Macintosh, 17. Josh Irvine, 18. Ewan Dodds, 19. David O'Hagan, 20. Ewan Scott.


Kick-off 3pm!