National League Rugby: Hawks and Selkirk relishing top-of-table clash

The top two meet in the RBS National League this afternoon with both having benefitted from team work not just among their players, but also their coaching staff so far this season.

Leaders Glasgow Hawks and second-placed Selkirk have both won four out of four so far in this ultra-competitive division and a lot of the credit for that goes to co-coaches, Jamie Dempsey and Jimmy Sinclair (Hawks) and Brian Cassidy, Ewen Robbie and Ally Dickson (Selkirk). The approach of not having a head coach, but a team of coaches heading the first XV, is working well and today’s meeting at Philiphaugh promises to be a cracker.

Selkirk head into the match having grabbed a 26-19 win at Hillhead/Jordanhill last week in the dying seconds when Kiwi second-row Matt Kissick went over in the corner. Co-coach Robbie praised the impact he and countryman Angus Duckett have made at the club.

Robbie said: “Matt and Angus have a really high work rate, roll up their sleeves and get stuck in, and their attitude has rubbed off well on the other guys.

“To compete in this division you have to work hard every week, the guys are enjoying their rugby and we are looking forward to welcoming Hawks.”

Selkirk are without key men Fraser Harkness and Neil Darling, with Michael Rutherford and Ewan MacDougall coming in at full-back and back-row.

Hawks travel to the Borders, with Andy White available at stand-off after missing last week so the back-line is re-jigged.

Former Ireland age-grade cap Stephen Leckey makes his first start of the season in the back-row with Scotland club international Rory McKay unavailable.

Co-coach Dempsey said: “I have had some good selection headaches this week and we are very much about our whole squad this season. We expect a tough contest with Selkirk.”

Fourth plays third at Hughenden with Hillhead/Jordanhill taking on Watsonians.

The home side were frustrated to dominate at times against Selkirk last week and lose, while ‘Sonians have influential second-row Callum Harvey back from long-term injury to start.

Elsewhere, Jed-Forest play Hamilton, Stewart’s Melville host Kelso and Hawick face Biggar.

Kelso travel to Inverleith in fifth place, but are missing Paul Grahamslaw and Dom Buckley while suspension sees Bruce McNeil have to sit out his return to Mansfield Park with Biggar.