Edinburgh Accies v Ayr preview

It's a return to league business for Ayr tomorrow as they head east to take on Edinburgh Accies in the BT Premiership.

The men in pink and black may have put fifty points on the board against BT National League Division 2 side Hamilton in round three of the BT Cup last Saturday, but Ayr head coach Calum Forrester knows this week's opponents will be a different kettle of fish.

"We will need to sharpen up our defence against a dangerous Edinburgh Accies side who ran us very close at Millbrae earlier in the season," he says.  "This is a must win game for us as we look to maintain our place in the top four as we head into the next block of BT Premiership matches."

This could be a very tricky encounter, not least because bottom-of-the-table Accies will be fighting tooth and nail for a win at their historic home of Raeburn Place, but also due to the forecast of strong winds, rain and snow.  With the likes of talented young prop Alex Allan and speedy centre Chris Dean in the starting XV, Accies are not to be easily dismissed.

There are some noted additions to the Ayr squad this week, with Ross Curle taking over at stand-off from Gavin Lowe, who is retained by Scotland Sevens.  After becoming a father to a baby boy last week, Grant Anderson returns at full-back.

In the forwards, Glasgow Warriors hooker Dougie Hall makes another welcome appearance for Ayr, and flanker Callum Templeton lines up in a lively back row alongside Andrew Dunlop and Blair Macpherson.



Ayr:
15. Grant Anderson; 14. Richard Dalgleish, 13. Robbie Fergusson, 12. Dean Kelbrick (capt), 11. Craig Gossman; 10. Ross Curle, 9. David Armstrong; 1. George Hunter, 2. Dougie Hall, 3. Fraser Watt; 4. Robert McAlpine, 5. Scott Sutherland; 6. Callum Templeton, 7. Andrew Dunlop, 8. Blair Macpherson.

Replacements:
16. Fergus Scott, 17. Stuart Fenwick, 18. Pete McCallum, 19. Graham Fisken, 20. Danny McCluskey.


Edinburgh Accies:
15.Ruairidh Young; 14. Robert Wilson, 13. Chris Dean, 12. Iain Berthinussen, 11. Jack Marples; 10. Alex Glashan, 9. James Munro; 1. Alex Allan, 2. Michael Liness, 3. Lewis Niven; 4. Greg Campbell, 5. Alex Toolis; 6. Robin Snape, 7. Jamie Sole, 8. Ronan Seydak.

Replacements:
16. David Bates, 17. Duncan Morrison, 18. Jamie McCarthy, 19. Ryan Godsmark, 20. Callum Ramm.

Kick-off 2pm!  Follow the scores live on Twitter.