Rankin hoping it's third time lucky as Dundee host Gala for rescheduled tie

Dundee HSFP will aim to play their Premier Cup pool match with Gala at the third time of asking this afternoon, with director of rugby Ian Rankin expecting a tough encounter.

The Taysiders have been left kicking their heels in frustration over the last two weekends, with the tie having been postponed twice due to the bad weather.

A pitch inspection will take place at Mayfield this morning to see if it has beaten the frost this time around and, with a large crowd expected, Rankin said: "Having trained on grass this week and played a game against our twos, I can safely say we are ready for a game. We are hopeful that the pitch will be given the all clear for this weekend's game with a big crowd expected, helped by a fully-booked ladies lunch.

"Gala have made significant progress this season and have had a great deal more match practice than we have had over the last ten weeks and, we are aware of the challenge they will bring."

Premier One side Dundee HSFP are at full-strength for the tie, with Scotland Sevens man James Fleming on the wing.

However, they have not played a competitive match since they won at Millbrae against Ayr on November 13 and Gala will look to take advantage of their rustiness.

Peebles host Boroughmuir in the cup too, with the Edinburgh side travelling south with Ross Neil replacing Jordan Webster on the wing and Greg Jones coming in on the bench.

There are no Premier A fixtures today, but Premier B restarts with some exciting matches. Leaders Stirling County host Watsonians, just a point behind them, with Mike Ker switching to scrum-half in place of Jamie Blackwood. Nathan Pike returns to the bench as Edinburgh Accies host Aberdeen Grammar, while in Premier C there are four matches scheduled.

Selkirk's home match against West of Scotland was postponed yesterday because the pitch at Philiphaugh is frozen. All Premier Cup and Premier B matches are subject to pitch inspections.

Pitch inspections: Premier Cup: Peebles v Boroughmuir; Dundee HSFP v Gala. Premier B: Stirling County v Watsonians; Edinburgh Accies v Aberdeen Grammar.