The visitors currently hold the silverware - introduced to the tie last season by sponsors United Auctions to reflect the good relationship between the two clubs - after a 55-21 win at Millbrae in September. But now seventh in the table and following some close-run matches, the home team will desperately want to get their hands on the quaich in front of the Bridgehaugh crowd.
Ayr head coach Calum Forrester is looking for consistency from his men this week after what he described as a 'scrappy performance' against Gala last Saturday.
'This will be difficult against a Stirling side who have been tough to break down in recent weeks and we anticipate it being a much closer encounter than the previous fixture at Millbrae earlier in the season.'
After Glasgow Warriors' Junior Bulumakau made his debut for Ayr last week, he is joined in the starting XV by fellow Scotstoun man Greg Peterson, who lines up alongside a returning Rob McAlpine in the second row. Peterson has three caps for the USA and is 6 feet 8 inches tall and weighs more than 19 stone.
With McAlpine and Peterson starting, stand-in locks Blair Macpherson and Andrew Dunlop move back to blindside and openside flanker.
Prop Steven Longwell moves up from the bench and Craig Gossman makes a welcome return to the 1st XV, starting at full-back, after two appearances for the 2nd XV on his road back from a serious knee injury.
Ayr:
15. Craig Gossman; 14. Haddon McPherson, 13. Ross Curle (c), 12. Danny McCluskey, 11. Junior Bulumakau; 10. Frazier Climo, 9. David Armstrong; 1. Steven Longwell, 2. Lewis Anderson, 3. Javan Sebastian; 4. Rob McAlpine, 5. Greg Peterson; 6. Blair Macpherson, 7. Andrew Dunlop, 8. Pete McCallum.
Replacements:
16. David Young, 17. George Hunter, 18. Callum Templeton, 19. Cameron Taylor, 20. Archie Russell.
Kick-off 3pm! Follow the scores live on Twitter.
Ayr 2nd XV v Stirling County 2nd XV kicks off at 2pm and you can follow the scores via the Ultimate Rugby app.
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