Ayr v Boroughmuir preview



Ayr have their first match at Millbrae for more than a month and it is a must-win BT Premiership clash with Boroughmuir.

 

Just like last week against Edinburgh Accies, the men in pink and black take on a team trying to hold on to their place in the league, as the visitors are currently at the bottom of the table.  But hopefully there will be a better outcome on home soil for Ayr.

 

Head coach Calum Forrester knows only too well the dangers of facing a wounded animal.

 

"Boroughmuir are fighting for their Premiership survival and we are under no illusion of how tough a match this will be.  Last week we were punished for not taking our chances and we will need to be more clinical in our attack against Boroughmuir."

 

The Meggatland side has been bolstered by the release of Edinburgh players Sam Beard, Carl Bezuidenhout and Simon Bergham, who join a more than capable starting XV.  Ayr will be keen to close down Boroughmuir's speedy backs and quell the threat of their experienced forwards.

 

In the Ayr squad, there are a few changes, with Fergus Scott starting at hooker and Danny McCluskey's promotion from the bench meaning Ross Curle moves from stand-off to outside centre and Robbie Fergusson shuffles along to the right wing.

 

The fans at Millbrae will be happy to see that Murray McConnell has been released by Glasgow Warriors and takes his place amongst the substitutes after turning out for Glasgow A earlier in the week.

 

 

Ayr:

15. Grant Anderson; 14. Robbie Fergusson, 13. Ross Curle, 12. Dean Kelbrick (capt), 11. Craig Gossman; 10. Danny McCluskey, 9. David Armstrong; 1. George Hunter, 2. Fergus Scott, 3. Fraser Watt; 4. Robert McAlpine, 5. Scott Sutherland; 6. Callum Templeton, 7. Andrew Dunlop, 8. Graham Fisken.

 

Replacements:

16. David Young, 17. Stuart Fenwick, 18. Blair Macpherson, 19. Murray McConnell, 20. Richard Dalgleish.

 

Boroughmuir:

15. Craig Marshall; 14. Grant McConnell, 13. Sam Beard, 12. David Reekie, 11. Jordan Edmunds; 10. Carl Bezuidenhout, 9. Johnny Adams; 1. Robbie Wilson, 2. Johnny Latta, 3. Simon Bergham; 4. Trent Sutton, 5. Adam Best; 6. Andy Rose, 7. Mike Entwhistle, 8. Iain Moody.

 

Replacements:

16. Stuart Clark, 17. Craig Keddie, 18. Neil Rodger, 19. Sam Johnson, 20. Chris Laidlaw.

 

Kick-off 3pm!  If you can't make it, follow the scores live on Twitter.