Cairns ‘excited’ as Currie bid to end Hawick’s winning run

Currie Chieftains head coach Mark Cairns is expecting a “huge challenge” from Hawick as the second-placed team in the Tennent’s Premiership take on third in their Scottish Cup quarter-final at Malleny Park this afternoon.

A victory in the last round over Cartha Queens Park gave the Hawick squad confidence back in October after a sticky spell of results and since then they have won seven Premiership games on the spin.

One of those came against Currie at Mansfield Park last month, but when they visited the Edinburgh men they were thumped 40-15 in September.

For this one there is a forced reshuffle in the Currie backs as Gregor Hunter is unavailable due to a concussion. Adam Hall starts at 10 in his absence and James Mccaig is on the wing.

“Hawick present a huge challenge but we are excited to test ourselves against the in-form Premiership team,” said Currie head coach Cairns. “We will need to be disciplined, our set piece will need to be strong and we must get off the line in defence to stop their momentum.”

Hawick bring Dale Johnstone into the front row and Greg Walker is given a chance at centre.

There will definitely be a Tennent’s National League Division One club in the semi-finals, with Gala and Heriot’s Blues meeting, the former having won 29-21 when they met at Netherdale last weekend.

The other National One club left in the last eight is Highland, who are strong at home, but they know Premiership side Marr will prove the sternest test they have had at Canal Park in recent months.

Curran Mcmillan comes in at hooker for the Troon side who will not be taking this tie lightly.

In the fourth Cup clash, Edinburgh Accies take on Jed-forest at Raeburn Place. They sit ninth and sixth in the Premiership.

In a rearranged Premiership match, Glasgow Hawks host GHA at Balgray, the hosts looking to get off the bottom of the table.