Accies look to topple County in last eight

Edinburgh Accies have already seen off Heriot’s in the BT Cup and this afternoon they travel to Bridgehaugh aiming for another scalp as they take on Stirling County.

The intriguing tie is one of four quarter-finals due to be played today and Accies are the only team from outwith the top flight still in the draw.

Given that they are still unbeaten at the top of BT National League Divisionone,dereko’riordan’s men will fancy their chances.

Callum Black and Clem Lacour return to the frontrow, while Sam Johnson also returns to the starting team at scrum-half and Josh Pecqueur gets the nod on the wing after an impressive display off the bench last week.

County were thumped by Boroughmuir in the BT Premiership seven days ago and respond by bringing Reyner Kennedy, Stef Yarrow, Hamilton Burr, Ruairidh Swan and Ewan Macgarvie into the starting XV with Ross Curle, the Club XV cap, shifting from centre to stand-off.

Reigning champions Melrose defeated Marr comfortably in the league last week and are back at Fullarton Park again for their last-eight clash.

Ruaridh Knott comes back into the Melrose starting XV in the backrow, while Marr have Greg Jackson at prop and Mackenzie Pearce coming into the back-row.

There is an Edinburgh derby at Myreside with Watsonians hosting Boroughmuir.

Both sides come into this one off big league wins last week and the home outfit have Darren Miller starting at hooker against his former club. Muir are unchanged.

Hawick have a number of players back as they prepare to welcome last year’s finalists Ayr to Mansfield Park.

Tighthead prop Nicky Little and back-row Stuart Graham are two of the key men returning while Ayr have secondrow Rob Mcalpine fully fit and ready to start after an injury lay-off.