Jamie Forbes wants to walk on Ayr... even if it helps rivals

Currie go into action lying fourth and eight points adrift of opponents who have recorded a perfect seven from seven so far.

“This is a huge game not only for us but the chasing pack as well,” said full-back Forbes.

“Of course, we will be  thinking of ourselves, but there can be no hiding from the fact if we peg Ayr back we will also be doing it for the likes of Gala,  Melrose and others. Incentive lies in the fact that come the end of the season, we want the title to be in our own hands and not be reliant on someone else slipping up. In that respect, this is a key encounter.”

Forbes, 21, who represented Scotland at under-18 and under-19 level, as well as sitting on the bench for the under-20s, feels there are other motivations. These include the fact that last season Currie broke their early-season duck with a remarkable 50-13 hammering of Ayr at Malleny Park and the feeling of satisfaction that evoked is one he’d obviously be keen to replicate.

“That was one of those days where, in golfing parlance, all our putts dropped and Ayr were below their best. Everything clicked for us and I remember looking round the changing-room afterwards and being struck by how many players were struggling to take in just what kind of level we had just reached.

“It wasn’t actually until we met up to train a few days later that things had sunk in; there was an appreciation of doing something that might not  be repeated very often in our entire careers.” Nevertheless, by outscoring Ayr by seven tries to two, Currie had shown their true capabilities and, on a weekend when the British and Irish Cup they just missed out on gets underway, the Midlothian outfit will be hoping to continue reaping the benefits, in particular, of a settled back-line.

Currie have averaged more than 37 points in each of their last five games (four wins) and Forbes added: “These  results speak volumes for our  continuity.”

Sports science student Forbes has also been making up for lost time after making his seasonal debut four matches into the season due to a job working as a sports coach at a children’s camp in California. But an astonishing 69 points from his four outings, including two tries, have rocketed him to joint second in the Premiership individual scoring charts, and only Gala’s Lee Millar (113) has notched more. “I was, shall we say, encouraged to come back earlier but I was committed to work and honestly felt I needed the break after a few long seasons,” he said. “I feel really refreshed and ready to take on anything with Currie after a summer coaching paddle boarding and driving a speed boat.”

Forbes was man-of-the-match at Stirling last weekend and many believe a club international cap could be on the cards for a  versatile type who is also an  accomplished stand off. For now, though, victory over Ayr, along with completing the honours year of his degree, is the primary focus for Forbes, who also pointed out that in a return meeting with Ayr last season – also at Malleny Park due to the prevailing league structure, Ayr won 36-18.