Frazier Climo returns to reinforce Ayr

• Frazier Climo is set to appear from the bench for Ayr today Picture: Jane Barlow

The New Zealander will start the match on the bench with youngster Ross Curle holding on to the No 10 jersey, but to be able to add to their squad someone who was courted by Glasgow Warriors last term is a big boost for Ayr at this time of the season.

Ayr captain Damien Kelly said: "Frazier is a great player and we were pleased to see him back at training this week. We all know what he can do and we look forward to utilising his skills in the coming weeks."

Scotland club international Kelly knows Stirling County will be no easy touch, with the visitors still in need of points to clinch a top eight-finish before the split next week.

"Every team in the division can give you a good game on their day and Stirling always scrap for everything and that will be even more the case this time around given where they are in the table," added Kelly.

Apart from Climo's expected cameo, the game is set to pitch some of the best young backs in the country against each other. Centre Mark Bennett has been a revelation for Ayr this season, while Robbie Fergusson is doing well and starts at full-back.

County have a consistent performer in full-back Robbie McGowan, too, and he will be keen to continue impressing. As well as County, Hawick and West of Scotland are fighting hard to get into the top eight, with Selkirk and Watsonians already confined to the bottom four and matches with Premier Two's top four.

West of Scotland head coach Keith Robertson has urged his players to believe in their own ability as they head into today's clash at Dundee HSFP - the first of two games they must win.

Robertson, who has key players Jack Walker, Mark Jenkinson and Steven Longwell back, said: "Last week against Melrose was disappointing as we switched off at key times and let them get easy scores.

"We have good players at the club, but they have to back themselves and we are all working hard to try and win the next two matches."

For the coach this is his first foray into Premier One having led Hillhead/Jordanhill to the Premier Three title last season. He certainly believes the impending split is a good idea and said: "It has added spice to a number of our matches and it has been good to see young players throughout the league really coming to the fore under the new set-up."

Elsewhere this afternoon Hawick, in ninth place, two points ahead of West and three behind Stirling County, are looking to bounce back from last week's defeat to Glasgow Hawks when they host Currie.

Craig Robertson, a lively performer, is back on the wing in place of Neil Renwick, and Danny Landels comes in for Keith Davies in the No 7 jersey.

Currie have been in good form of late, scoring 131 points over the last three weeks in drawing with West and defeating Watsonians and Stirling County, and Hayden Abercrombie's presence on the wing is a boost.

Commonwealth Games team-mates Mike Adamson and Lee Jones will square up when Glasgow Hawks host Selkirk, Melrose should be too strong for an improving Watsonians and Heriot's and Boroughmuir meet in what is likely to be an entertaining Edinburgh derby.

With so much to play for pre-split, the next two weeks promise to be exciting in Premier One.