Ayr v Melrose - BT Premiership play-off semi-final preview

Ayr and Melrose go head-to-head for the second time in as many weeks, but as the action moves to Millbrae, a place in the BT Premiership play-off final is up for grabs.

Last week's narrow 14-13 win for Ayr at the Greenyards was an intense match, to say the least, and head coach Calum Forrester is rightly proud of the performance of the men in pink and black.

"At times our defence was immense and this kept us in the game against a very strong Melrose attack.  The players' attitude and commitment were outstanding and we will need the same again for eighty minutes this week against a Melrose team who will be hurting and entirely focused on coming to Ayr to do a job."

The Borderers are captained by stalwart Fraser Thomson and feature an exceptionally speedy backline, with winger Tito Mua particularly dangerous with ball in hand.  Nick Beavon will bring all his experience and scrumming nous to the front row and exciting young back row player Hugh Blake, who featured briefly in Vern Cotter's Six Nations squad, takes his place at blindside flanker.

Ayr's squad is yet again bolstered by the presence of Glasgow Warriors' Dougie Hall, who starts at hooker this week, James Eddie and Murray McConnell, who are amongst the extended list of replacements.

Centre Ross Curle returns to the fold after serving a suspension, meaning March player of the month Robbie Fergusson moves to the wing.  Young prop D'arcy Rae is welcomed back after a spell on loan to Pro12 side Treviso and comes in for the injured Fraser Watt.

It's sure to be another thrilling encounter between these old rivals and Forrester and his players can't wait to give the fans something to cheer about.

"We are looking forward to being at Millbrae in front of what I am sure will be a very vocal home support.  It is just reward for the supporters who have followed us home and away the entire season."


Ayr:
15. Grant Anderson; 14. Robbie Fergusson, 13. Ross Curle, 12. Dean Kelbrick (c), 11. Cammy Taylor; 10. Danny McCluskey, 9. David Armstrong; 1. George Hunter, 2. Dougie Hall, 3. D'arcy Rae; 4. Robert McAlpine, 5. Scott Sutherland; 6. Andrew Dunlop, 7. Will Bordill, 8. Blair Macpherson.

Replacements:
16. Fergus Scott, 17. Stuart Fenwick, 18. James Eddie, 19. Pete McCallum, 20. Graham Fisken, 21. Murray McConnell, 22. Kerr Gossman.

Melrose:
15. Fraser Thomson (c); 14. Tito Mua, 13. Tom Galbraith, 12. Andrew Nagle, 11. Bruce Colvine; 10. Austin Lockington, 9. Murdo McAndrew; 1. Nick Beavon, 2. Todd Pearce, 3. Ewan McQuillin; 4. James Head, 5. Lewis Carmichael; 6. Hugh Blake, 7. Grant Runciman, 8. Graeme Dodds.

Replacements:
16. Richard Ferguson, 17. Nicky Little, 18. Neil Irvine-Hess, 19. Ruaridh Knott, 20. Richard Mill, 21. Joe Helps, 22. Blair Hutchison.

Kick-off 3pm!  If you can't be there to roar Ayr on, you can follow the scores live on Twitter.