Scotland fringe players have added incentive

With the Scottish men’s international team for the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, expected out next week, fringe players in the training squad will be doubly eager to impress when the full senior National League programmes resume this weekend.

But for the most part the team will pick itself, with Glasgow Rocks BBL players possibly providing the entire starting five.

Perhaps the most intriguing question might be which of Scotland’s outstanding near-veteran GB players – Arbroath’s Gareth Murray or Stirling’s Kieron Achara – will be preferred as captain by coach Tony Garbelotto.

Achara, being the more vocal on court, may edge the decision.

Alasdair Fraser, another of the Rocks contingent, is another automatic starter.

If Garbelotto feels he can include a couple of development players he could do worse than go for Dunfermline Reign’s athletic forward Jake Sirrell.

Reign should win at home to Edinburgh Pleasance at St Columba’s HS at 2.15pm today.

There will be no Scottish women’s side in the Gold Coast, but anyone doubting the improvement of Scottish female players should be reassured by watching Caledonia Pride take on Cardiff Archers in the Women’s BBL at Edinburgh University today at 5pm.

Tayside Musketeers face Falkirk Fury in the Scottish Women’s League at Grove Academy, Broughty Ferry, tomorrow at 2.10pm.