Rugby: Currie coach Donaldson refuses to see Ayr clash as title-decider

Published on Friday 6 November 2009 10:07

CURRIE coach Ally Donaldson insists tomorrow's Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership encounter against Ayr at Millbrae, which concludes the first half of the campaign, is nothing more than another tough assignment in a difficult fixture list.

Donaldson's men have drawn praise from rival coaches for the style in which they have so far negotiated each of the hurdles placed in their way. They have looked untouchable in swatting off the opposition on their way to building a four-point lead over tomorrow's opponents at the top of the table.

But, refuting the suggestion that the clash with the reigning champions will decide the destination of the silverware, he said: "It's too early for that. After that we've got Heriot's, Melrose away and Dundee away.

"Ayr have got a hard run of games in the second half of the season as well. Obviously, the result will have an effect on it but it's far from a decider at the moment."

Donaldson has named a side showing one change in the starting line-up from the team that dismantled Glasgow Hawks last Saturday. Chris Kinloch, who helped the Scottish Rugby Academy's Gael Force team to a narrow win over Doncaster Knights on Monday, is recalled to the side at the expense of Graeme White, while James Taggart, Matt Scott and Mark Cairns, all injury-enforced absentees last week, start on the bench.

Donaldson expects a tough afternoon in a fixture that has traditionally been hard fought. "Ayr anywhere are a formidable challenge and especially so at Millbrae," he added. "They have raised their game this season when needed and undoubtedly will on Saturday. Their forwards will try and dominate.

"For our part, we are focusing on our performance and what promises to be a big occasion."

The Scotland club international coach last season, Donaldson has sought to play down the scintillating form his side has produced so far.

However, a points difference that is 210 better than tomorrow's opponents', and an average haul of more than 48 points per game, tells its own story.

Ayr have lost once in the campaign to date – going down 24-22 against Dundee High – and have failed to reproduce the form that brought them the title last season. But they have been winning and have still managed to accrue eight bonus points from their ten fixtures.

Coach Kenny Murray knows what to expect, having seen Currie at close quarters when he attended the recent Friday evening fixture with Edinburgh Accies at Malleny Park.

He saw Donaldson's men at their rampant best in the second half that night.

The hosts are without prolific points gatherer Frazier Climo, who is out through injury.

However, Murray has a ready-made, high-class replacement place-kicker in the shape of Ross Curle, who is back in Scotland this season after a spell as a professional with Viadana in the Italian Championship.

Ayr also welcome back influential scrum-half AJ McFarlane who starts on the bench following his return from Australia this week.

Murray said: "This week is the biggest game of the season for us so far, with Currie the outstanding team in the league at the moment. Only an outstanding performance will stop Currie on their current form."

Back in the Capital, Boroughmuir will be hoping for a win at home to city rivals Stewart's-Melville to mark the club's 90th anniversary in style.

Both sides are desperate for league points and there will be added incentive for hooker Shaun McMurchy, who scored 'Muir's two tries in the defeat at Melrose last week and lines up against the side he helped to promotion last season.

Nick Fraser comes in at prop for Justin Va'a who is on international duty with Samoa, while Scotland back row David Callam starts on the bench after a lengthy injury lay-off.

StewMel will be without influential full-back Hayden Lingard and prop Ruari McLeod due to injury but fit-again Jamie Allan resumes at stand off.

There will be a reunion at Goldenacre where Heriot's host West of Scotland, whose assistant coach George Breckenridge will hope to use his inside knowledge of the club he left last year to post a much-needed win.

Edinburgh Accies are back on course to achieve their objective of a top-five finish after winning at Dundee High last week. For the visit of Melrose, coach Ian Barnes brings in Jamie Henderson at prop in place of age-group cap Lewis Niven who has a broken thumb.

Meanwhile, Watsonians are desperate to halt a four-match losing run when they host Selkirk, who currently trail fourth-bottom 'Sonians by one point.

Haddington visit promotion-chasing Hawick in Division Two, while Musselburgh bid to boost their Division Three survival bid at Cartha Queens Park.