The Scotsman

Melrose stand-off Chalmers back home and looking to follow in dad’s footsteps

- GARY HEATLY

AYR V MELROSE

Melrose supporters of a certain vintage used to enjoy watching a Chalmers with No 10 on his back running the team’s backline – and they may well again this season.

Craig Chalmers, who went on to play for Scotland and the British & Irish Lions, made his name at The Greenyards and one of his sons, Ben, has been named at stand-off for Melrose for this afternoon’s BT Charity Shield at Millbrae against Ayr (3pm).

The 21-year-old has returned from three seasons in France with Bordeaux and will be keen to give head coach Rob Chrystie food for thought with the BT Premiershi­p season starting next weekend.

As well as Chalmers, other new faces in the Melrose lineup include former Edinburgh Rugby and London Scottish loosehead prop Grant Shiells.

Thereisani­ntriguingl­ooking centre partnershi­p between Gavin Wood, who spent the summer in America, and Nyle Godsmark, while Angus Runciman is in the second-row after a spell travelling.

Ayr give debuts to centre Scott Lyle and back-row Tommy Spinks, while skipper Pete Mccallum turned 25 yesterday and will be key to the outcome. From the bench second-row Jonny Agnew could debut while George Stokes, a backrow who has joined the BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy, is highly rated.

Throughout the afternoon there will be funds raised for Doddie Weir and Motor Neuron Disease research.

Ayr head coach Calum Forrester said: “Given how close these matches have been over recent seasons, it is a good opportunit­y to play Melrose in a competitiv­e fixture early on so that both clubs can get a measure of where they are sitting following pre-season.” His opposite number Chrystie stated: “The players and coaches are excited to travel to Ayr. Although still part of our pre-season, the added incentive of silverware makes this fixture that little bit more significan­t.

“As always, Ayr will be well prepared by Calum and his team and they will be looking to set down a marker for the season ahead.”

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