Baird ready to strike after Cobra duty

Oscar Baird will return to Highland’s second row for tomorrow’s National 2 match against Preston Lodge fresh from representing Scotland in the Cobra 10s tournament in Malaysia last weekend.

Baird was earlier this month called into the Projecx Waterboys squad that took part in the 16team Kuala Lumpur tournament, in which the Scots’ side was the only Northern Hemisphere representative.

After being eliminated at the quarter-final stage of the main tournament, Baird helped Waterboys reach the final of the Plate, where they lost 1410 to South African side SA Tigers.

Baird, who is from Nairn and has played for Highland since under-18 level, was thrilled with his first taste of international rugby.

The 22-year-old said: “The manager of the team, James Robertson, was down at one of our games away to Falkirk earlier in the season.

“He had previously known a couple of boys from Highland, one of them being Andrew Findlater. He spoke to Andrew to ask if anyone would be available.

“It was mentioned after the game but I put it to the back of my head and then I got the call asking if I would be able to get the time off work.

“I was quite anxious going out because I knew it was quite a big deal.

“All the boys are, or have previously been, playing in the Premiership so I went out a bit nervous about that.

“I slotted in well and it was really good to get exposure to that sort of skill standard.

“It’s a great way to try and improve myself.”

Baird is back in contention for his club this weekend with Davie Carson’s secondplaced side facing their Prestonpans opponents, who are fourth.

Baird added: “It should be a bit tougher this weekend so I’m glad to be back.

“I missed the Howe of Fife game last week, which was one of the lower teams in the league. If I was going to miss a game I was quite lucky it was that one.

“There’s certainly a confidence that has grown at the club, just with all the wins that have come in week after week.

“We have got depth in our squad as well. If we are missing players there are boys coming in who are fully capable of delivering the results.” Aberdeen Grammar number eight Greig Ryan hopes regular rugby every week during the international fixtures can help his club find some consistency.

Two wins in the last seven matches have slowed the solid start made by Ali O’Connor’s side but with the two wins coming in the last three matches Ryan is