Binikos return boosts Currie ahead of visit to Meggetland

Cyprus internationalist Andrew Binikos returns to the Currie line-up for this afternoon’s RBS Edinburgh Regional Cup tie with Boroughmuir at Meggetland (3pm).

Binikos has had a mixed season due to injury, but is a quality performer on his day and the 29-year-old will offer young scrum-half Jonny Bruton an experienced outlet.

With Binikos slipping back into the starting XV it means that ex-Watsonians man Jamie Forbes moves to full-back. Scotland Sevens cap James Johnstone will wear the 13 jersey in a threatening looking back-line.

With Currie having had British & Irish Cup commitments over the last fortnight, this is the first match in pool 2 which also contains Lasswade.

Currie head coach Ally Donaldson, who will have to leave the match early and head to Murrayfield with his George Watson’s College under-18 team, said, “It’s not long since we played Boroughmuir in a very close league match and we expect this to be exactly the same.

“Our team has a more settled look now than during the B & I Cup matches when we had a lot of injuries.

“We hope to put the lessons from those matches and the quality of most of our play to good effect today.”

Boroughmuir have not played a competitive since they lost in RBS Premier 1 at Aberdeen Grammar on 5 November, although they did beat Hamilton in a friendly last week.

Attacking weapon Sep Visser is unavailable as he is on Edinburgh duty, so Graeme Blackhall starts at full-back. Matt Harvey is in the second row with flu sufferer Ali Davidson sitting on the bench.

Also in the Edinburgh Regional event, the winner of the tie between Biggar and Watsonians will progress to the semi-finals from pool 3 (2pm).

Biggar will go into the match at Hartreemill in fine fettle, having defeated Stewart’s Melville seven days ago, while Watsonians have a few injury worries for the trip.

In the RBS Borders Regional Cup the clash between Selkirk and Gala (3pm) is shaping up to be a cracker.

Selkirk are still without their captain, Neil Darling, but young James Bett joins the squad for the first time after some good showings in the A team.

Melrose open their campaign at the Greenyards against Kelso (2pm).

For the hosts, Scott McCormick, Andrew Skeen and Bruce Dick come into the backs with Richard Ferguson starting at hooker.

Kelso will be looking for their second big local scalp in as many matches after defeating Hawick last time out.