H/A must stand alone as Posa checks in for Croatia

His place will be taken by Nicky Barratt with Ewan Baillie coming in at centre, but there will be more than a few members at Auldhouse looking for the result of a match that, in normal circumstances, would hardly merit a glance.

As to their match itself, last week’s results emphasised the unpredictability of Premier Divison3 as H/A drew at Berwick and Biggar went down at Musselburgh. "We didn’t expect to be met with such a force, and we started far too slowly," said H/A’s Bernard Dunn. "We are looking for a much improved performance against Biggar."

The Hartreemill side met Musselburgh as they were whittling down their host of injuries and will be looking to get back onstream before they become detached from the leaders.

Musselburgh again have the chance to dent propects at the top when they visit Inverleith, but Stewart’s-Melville are beginning to look serious contenders for promotion. President Eric Cartwright said: "With John Healy back at No8 and with Kiwis Ben Searanke and Lee Crafer at prop and lock, our pack is looking pretty strong. With Mark Welch coming back at No15, we are confident."

Hillhead-Jordanhill and Glasgow Southern both need the win in the Glasgow derby at Hughenden, the former to climb away from the relegation zone, the latter to keep in touch with the leaders.

Despite the demolition of Hills at Raeburn Place last week, Edinburgh Accies will travel to Scremerston with some trepidatiom, aware that the draw against the-then league leaders last week will have given Berwick just the sort of boost they need to kick start their season.

Haddington could get themselves into the promotion zone if they can grab a win bonus from a Dundee HSFP side who have not won since their first outing of the season.