Rugby: Accies coach relishing crossing paths with fellow U-18s mucker Duncan

Edinburgh Accies mentor Simon Cross is looking forward to pitching coaching skills against fellow Scotland under-18 coach Alex Duncan when Aberdeen Grammar FPs visit Raeburn Place tomorrow, a match still scheduled despite the inclement conditions set to hit Edinburgh.

"I took charge of defence while Alex called the shots in attack at age-group level so it will be an interesting battle," admitted Cross.

Cross has plenty of other reasons for wanting the clash to go ahead, quite apart from Accies making a major push for promotion back into the top flight.

That push started, coincidentally, at Aberdeen on the opening day.

"I haven't let Alex forget his side won the toss and took the wind only for us to keep in touch before pulling away in the second half," recalled Cross.

Such successes have contributed to Cross being promoted to the Scotland under-20 set-up but before that comes an Accies' home clash with Co-Optimists Select at Raeburn Place on December 28.

"Co-ops will trial players for the Scottish clubs international team early in the new year so we are borrowing protective sheets to try to ensure the fixture goes ahead," said Cross.