Gala test as Ayr step up title chase
Tippett lands a coaching role
Nine Ayr players have been included in an initial 30 man training squad to represent the best of BT Premiership talent for season 2016/ 17.
And Glen Tippett, who is part of Calum Forrester’s coaching team at Millbrae, has been named as forwards coach.
The Scotland Club XV squad will travel to Birmingham Moseley for a game against England Counties on Friday, February 24 with a home fixture to be confirmed at a later date.
Ayr captain Pete McCallum will provide leadership in the forwards alongside clubmates Will Bordill and Rob McAlpine, who all played a part in last season’s international campaign.
Last season’s Scotland Club XV captain and Ayr centre, Ross Curle, retains his place in the group which will later be reduced to 23.
Craig Gossman is on the mix in the wings while the rest of the backline combinations include Archie Russell and David Armstrong.
Options in the pack include Blair Macpherson and Steven Longwell.
Head coach, Phil Smith, said: “Throughout the spine of the squad, we have players in key positions who have experience playing in the Club XV and who played a significant part in the historic victories over England Counties and Ireland Club XV last season.
“I have selected players who have been in genuine form in the BT Premiership and who are best representing the Scottish club game with some new faces adding to the depth and talent of the squad.
“The fixture against England Counties will be a good test away from home and is a great opportunity for the players to show that the club game in Scotland is consistently played out at a high level.”
Meanwhile, Ayr return to action on Saturday at Netherdale, after a lay- off totalling 28 days, to face Gala, a side who had their team of last season demolished by the lure of the capital but who are still mixing it with Watsonians who nicked quite a few from Netherdale to no appreciable avail.
Gala have hung in, gave a good account of themselves at Millbrae coming back to lose only 27- 24 and gave the home side an anxious last few minutes.
After Gala, on December 10, Ayr play their last home game of 2016 against Hawick then finish the year with what could be the game which will ultimately decide the side who ends the regular season top of the Premiership when they travel to the Greenyards to face Melrose.
Having completed the double over Heriot’s, the objective is obviously to make it a triple double over the border clubs, which would ensure Ayr top the BT Premiership going into 2017 but each encounter smacks of some danger.
Gala have been inconsistent but have still pulled away from the danger zone while in Hawick, although rugby in the town is in disarray with the junior sides and the main club at odds as to the way forward ( again!), avoiding relegation and all the problems that would bring is a massive incentive.
Melrose, of course, need little greater incentive than seeing pink and black jerseys in front of them and having had their cherry popped in no uncertain manner at Millbrae will be out for the revenge which could mean a top spot in the eventual top four.
Three border clashes in three weeks – what a way to finish the year!