Ayr v Currie preview

The BT Premiership is back, and Ayr get 2016/17 going with a home clash against Currie on Saturday, kicking off at 3pm.

Both sides will be more than eager to get off to a flying start and lay down a marker for the rest of the season.

"Ben (Cairns, Currie head coach) has built a strong squad over the last couple of season," says Ayr head coach Calum Forrester, "and I am sure it will be stronger again going into this fixture."

After some hard work during pre-season, the squad is raring to go, and tomorrow will see winger Jamie Bova and flanker Gregor Henry make their 1st XV debuts.

Hooker Robbie Smith, prop Adam Prentice and centre Stafford McDowall could also make their first appearances in the pink and black from the bench.

Currie hooker Fergus Scott lines up against his old team-mates after returning to his home club over the summer.

Millbrae will be packed as it's Ladies' Day, and the extra few hundred female fans always create a brilliant atmosphere for the players and the rest of the crowd.

Ayr:
15. Craig Gossman; 14. Jamie Bova, 13. Archie Russell, 12. Ross Curle, 11. Cameron Taylor; 10. Frazier Climo, 9. David Armstrong; 1. George Hunter, 2. David Young, 3. Steven Longwell; 4. Craig Stevenson; 5. Robert McAlpine, 6. Lee Scott, 7. Gregor Henry, 8. Pete McCallum (c).

Replacements:
16. Robbie Smith, 17. Adam Prentice, 18. Blair Macpherson, 19. Danny McCluskey, 20. Stafford McDowall.

Currie:
15. Harvey Elms; 14. Mathew Hooks, 13. Matt McPhillips, 12. Robbie Nelson, 11. Cameron Gray; 10. Jamie Forbes, 9. Charlie Shiel; 1. John Cox, 2. Fergus Scott, 3. Graeme Carson; 4. Hamish Bain, 5. Stephen Ainslie; 6. Rhys Davies, 7. Thomas Gordon, 8. Ross Weston.

Replacements:
16. Paul Mundell, 17. AP McWilliam, 18. Gary Temple, 19. Richard Sneddon, 20. Graeme Clow.

Kick-off 3pm!