Forrester targets a home hat- trick

It’s a funny old game. Ayr finished the regular season six points better off than they did when they topped the table last term only now the likelihood is they will finish second after the match between Stirling County and Melrose on March 11.

However, that drubbing handed out to Watsonians in the final match of the regular league should put Ayr in good fettle for the BT Cup and Premiership play- offs.

Coach Calum Forrester said: “I am glad we have Jed at home in the cup quarterfinal because they will give it everything but our incentive is that we could end up with at least three games at Millbrae to finish the season and that is a big spur.

“Against Watsonians we scored some top class tries on a muddy pitch although the underfoot conditions levelled things a bit. I have to say that when we slipped into slick mode, we looked very good indeed.”

The coach highlighted the number of Ayr players who are involved in representative rugby this weekend and looking at that collection, it is hardly surprising that Ayr are the envy of most clubs.

In the Scotland U20 squad to face Wales are Stafford McDowall and Robbie Smith while scrum half Harry Warr is in the U19 squad.

The Club International squad to face English Counties at Birmingham on Friday is skippered by Pete McCallum and also includes Ross Curle, Steven Longwell and Rob McAlpine while Blair MacPherson, Will Bordwill and David Armstrong are replacements.

As ever on the Welsh weekend, the Millbrae v Llanishen clash takes place for the Les McCall Trophy at 11.15am at Millbrae on Saturday, the early start intentional so that it doesn’t overshadow another game later at Murrayfield.