Ayr raring to go after a frustrating fortnight

Tennent’s Premiership leaders Ayr will be keen to get back to winning ways this afternoon at Stirling County.

Two weeks ago, Pete Murchie’s men lost 24-23 to Currie Chieftains, while last weekend they were left kicking their heels after the Scottish Cup tie with Dundee HSFP was called off after the latter could not field a team and will be raring to go at Bridgehaugh.

Second-row Lars Morrice from New Zealand will make his Ayr debut while, also in the pack, captain Pete Mccallum is back.

County are seventh in the table and they have young forward duo Murphy Walker and Cameron Henderson back. Experienced scrum-half Colin Turnbull also starts.

Second-placed Melrose take on fifth-placed Watsonians at The Greenyards. The home side are bolstered by the return of full-back Fraser Thomson, while Angus Runciman is brought into the secondrow. Greg Jackson, Ross Graham, Harry Fisher, Connor Boyle, Lee Millar and Andrew Chalmers all return to the starting team for Watsonians.

Thomas Gordon, Gregor Hunter, Robbie Nelson and Ben Robbins all come back into the starting XV for Currie Chieftains as they travel to Hawick. Scrum-half Deaglan Lightfoot shifts to the wing for the Greens, giving Gareth Welsh a start at 9. Dale Johnstone comes straight into the squad after returning from three months in New Zealand.

Heriot’s defeated Edinburgh Accies in the Scottish Cup last weekend and the two sides meet again at Goldenacre. Michael Liness, Struan Cessford, Martin Hughes and Andrew Simmers all return to the team for the fourth-placed hosts.

Vincent Hart and Will Stephen come in at 10 and 12 for the winless visitors.

Boroughmuir host Glasgow Hawks, with Gavin Parker moving from the wing to full-back. Jack Hamilton, Ben Renton and Mark Hare come into the ‘Muir backline.

Josh Henderson starts at full-back for Hawks.