Ayr happy to call on Moray Low’s talents in bid for second straight cup win

MORAY Low turns out for his second club team of the season as he continues his climb back into the Glasgow favours, intent on helping Ayr to a second successive British and Irish Cup win this afternoon.

Low turned out for his home city club Aberdeen GSFP when he returned from a World Cup in which he was the only member of the 30-man squad not to enjoy any game-time. The tighthead prop remains one of the most talented young forwards in the Scottish game, but he is having to prove it the hard way with a trip down the coast to Millbrae where he faces the Welsh club Cross Keys today.

Ayr coach Kenny Murray is delighted to be able to call on Low, and help him push his case, and he also has the benefit of a handful of players loaned by others clubs as Ayr bid to follow up their great win away to Plymouth last weekend.

He said: “Last week’s victory away to Plymouth Albion was well earned. Coming back from 17-5 down at half-time to win 17-18 showed great determination and character and there has been a real buzz in training this week.

“We are delighted to acknowledge the support of Dundee HSFP, Stirling County RFC and our local professional team Glasgow Warriors. Moray Low and Gordon Reid will start in the front row while Calum Forrester makes a welcome return to action from injury. Michael Doneghan earns a start on the wing with Steven Manning being rested.”

Johnnie Beattie was set to be on the bench this weekend after starting last week, but he suffered a minor back injury in training this week and dropped out last night after a fitness test, so Colin White takes his place as Ayr try to ensure game-time for their large British and Irish Cup squad.

For Cross Keys, Steffan Jones returns at stand-off having sat on the bench for the Newport Gwent Dragons in their Amlin Challenge Cup win over Perpignan on Thursday, so Phil Williams returns to the centre.

The Welsh club might not have the same kudos to many as the English Championship and Irish provincial sides, but Murray expects a fierce encounter with the Principality side and is hopeful that a big Millbrae crowd will create an intimidating atmosphere.

“Cross Keys will prove another tough challenge but the players will want to put on a good performance. Our opposition played in their first B&I Cup tie last Saturday and won comfortably against Moseley [47-3] so we anticipate a difficult game.

“Everyone at Ayr recognises the value of the competition. We are aware that we are representing Scottish Rugby and there should be a big crowd at the game, which will be covered by Sky Sports and Scottish Rugby TV.”.

Ayr: G Anderson; M Doneghan, R Dalgleish, M Stewart (capt), C Taylor; R Fergusson, M McConnell; G Reid, H Wisniewski, M Low, J Dunning, R McAlpine, A Dunlop, C Forrester, J Willis. Subs: S Fenwick, A Kelly, A Brown, R Hawkins, J Beattie/C White, AJ McFarlane, S Diez.

Cross Keys: G David; K Baller, L Andrews, P Williams, N Trowbridge; S Jones, R Dyer; R Cornock, R Price, C Gould, D Hodge, T Lampard, R Peebles, R Nash (capt), J Groves. Subs: L Rawlins, J Sollis, M Jones, M Popham, L Williams, N Williams, O Jones.