Final repeat as Melrose renew rivalry with Ayr

There is a repeat of last year’s BT Premiership final this afternoon at The Greenyards when Melrose and Ayr meet in what promises to be a thrilling contest.

In the “winner takes all” clash on the same ground in April, Ayr clinched a 12-8 victory. However, Melrose got revenge soon after in the BT Cup final and this season has been all about the men from the Borders.

They have already won twice against the Millbrae outfit in 2017/18, lifting the BT Charity Shield 44-31 and then winning 34-17 in the league in September.

Last week’s win over Boroughmuir made it 11 from 11 in the league, but Ayr also posted a good victory over Glasgow Hawks and are now second in the table.

Melrose are boosted for this one with full-back Fraser Thomson back fit, as is centre Nyle Godsmark.

Edinburgh Rugby’s Ali Miller is also available and is set to start at No 8.

With Danny Mccluskey injured, young Paddy Dewhirst comes in on the wing for Ayr. The experienced Scott Sutherland also joins the bench.

Third-placed Heriot’s host Glasgow Hawks looking to build on victory over Marr seven days ago.

Elliot Millar-mills is at tighthead prop for Heriot’s with Adam Sinclair and Martin Hughes also coming into the pack. Scott Peffers is rewarded for his good form and starts his first top-flight match for Hawks at full-back. The exciting Paddy Kelly and Robert Beattie line-up in the centres.

Currie Chieftains are fourth and face an Edinburgh derby against ninthplaced Boroughmuir. The home side have an all new front-row while Charlie Shiel and Adam Hastings, released by Glasgow, link up in the half-back spots.

After impressing off the bench last week Euan Mckirdy gets the nod at scrum-half for Muir

Seventh plays sixth as Stirling County host Watsonians, while Marr, in eighth, welcome bottom side Hawick.