RBS Premier Rugby: Currie eager to maintain winning form at Goldenacre

By GARY HEATLY
Published on 20/10/2012 01:05

Fraser Watt and Simon Marcel are added to the Currie pack as they look to build on last week’s victory over RBS Premiership leaders Ayr this afternoon against Heriot’s.

The 32-13 victory over the men from Millbrae seven days ago left Currie just three points off top spot and as they head across town to Goldenacre ex-Hamilton prop Watt gets the nod over John Cox and second-row Marcel has recovered from a back injury.

Behind the scrum Gregor Hunter is with Edinburgh in Ireland so Andrew Binikos starts at stand-off. Edinburgh pro John Houston is on the bench though.

Currie head coach Ally Donaldson said: “Heriot’s have been improving all season and will have grown in confidence especially from beating Melrose away and running Ayr so close at Millbrae.

“We were a little disappointed with aspects of last Saturday’s performance and have worked hard this week to address these areas.”

The club were honoured yesterday when David Donaldson – a long-standing member – was named RBS Volunteer of the Month for September.

Heriot’s, who are in fifth place, were left frustrated last week when their Friday night match with Boroughmuir was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

However, the extra week’s rest has allowed ex-club international man Marc Teague to recover from a knock sufficiently to take up a place on the bench.

Heriot’s head coach Phil Smith said: “The league looks like it is taking shape and we are desperate to be part of the top half and we know we are going to have to play to our optimum to achieve this. It promises to be a game played at a high tempo against Currie.”

Ayr are looking to bounce back from their first loss of the campaign at home to Aberdeen Grammar.

The home side have Glasgow Warriors’ James Eddie available to start in the back-row with Craig Gossman back on the wing and scrum-half Peter Jericevich returned from Scotland Sevens’ duty.

Grammar, whose first win of the season came seven days ago against Edinburgh Accies thanks to a thrilling comeback, have ex-Melrose man Callum Anderson back in the backs after an ankle injury and J Jamie Lauder comes in at scrum-half.

Young Edinburgh prospects Hamish Watson and Alex Allan come into the Edinburgh Accies’ pack for the home clash with Boroughmuir as the home side look to bounce back from that defeat in Aberdeen. The visitors move teenager Damien Hoyland to full-back from the wing and Sean Crombie is back on the bench after work abroad.