Heriot’s not daunted by the visit of title holders

Learmonth, whose final haul of 14 touchdowns in 2010-11 left him two ahead of full back Colin Goudie, insisted that although Heriot’s have made a chequered start with two wins from four and Melrose are unbeaten, the best is yet to come from the city side.

“We have very much a new-look team at Heriot’s and it was always going to take time to blend. There are signs that it is coming together and I certainly feel ready to make more of an impact and hopefully start scoring tries again after a slow start due to dislocating a knee at the Amsterdam Sevens in May.

“I thought I could shake the injury off but the bruising on the bone was much, much deeper than anticipated.

“However, last week away to a well-organised Gala team who were defensively very secure, I felt I made an impact coming off the bench and hopefully I can build on that.”

It is understood that 21-year-old three-quarter Learmonth was being tracked by several clubs in the English Championship when his knee damage occurred. “Although I’m keen to play professionally it was maybe a blessing in disguise to pick up the injury. I’ve just entered fourth year of a university business degree and the intention now is to complete that while helping Heriot’s.

“Last year’s win over Melrose (26-25) saw scrum-half Graham Wilson score all our points, including a couple of tries, and he was absolutely tremendous around the edge of the scrums and rucks as well. We rode our luck with Scott Wight having a late penalty rebound off our post but beating Melrose isn’t a trip into the unknown and hopefully we can really take it to them again.”

The task facing Heriot’s was put into perspective this week by their former player John Beattie, a double British Lion, who devoted part of his BBC blog to Melrose coach Craig Chalmers, saying: “Chalmers is reckoned to be one of the most competitive players-turned-coaches there has ever been and yet he hasn’t been given a chance (by the SRU) at professional level.”

The Heriot’s squad contains ten of the players who brought down Melrose last year with Goudie and Matt Reid returning. Also back is Michael Roy.

At Meggetland, Boroughmuir host Gala helped by in-form scrum-half Sam Johnson fresh from helping British Police complete a three-match tour of South Africa unbeaten with victories over local selects.

A major incentive, Johnson says, is doubling their home wins in order to take a major step towards having the club name engraved on the new Bill McLaren Shield. “Four wins gets your team name put on the shield after which the idea is to put it at stake in away games,” said Johnson.

A runaway win by Currie over Ayr has set the former champions up for a trip to Glasgow Hawks but back row Mike Entwhistle, fresh from his first try hat-trick since a similar feat for Ulster under-20s five years ago, is keeping feet on the ground.

“Hawks promise to be equally tough with guys like the Gossman brothers and Dean Kelbrick. Hopefully we can maintain form because I’m desperate for us to put on a good show when entertaining Ulster in the British and Irish Cup [on November 18].”

Currie’s only change sees James Johnstone drop out after aggravating his shoulder. Douglas Fife moves into centre and Barry Mansfield comes in on wing. Edinburgh Accies head for Dundee showing several changes after losing to a clinical Boroughmuir. Jamie Sole is at full back with Euan Bonner moving to the wing. Kenny Blyth comes back from injury for his first start of the season with Ross Browne replacing the injured Gavin Douglas at centre while Angus Graham replaces Robin Snape at second row.

Dundee are without Ryan Milne and Richie McIvor so Andy Linton returns with Phil Jenkinson making his debut on the bench against his old club. Front row rotation brings Callum Kerr up from the reserves.