Rugby: Currie boss Donaldson focused on task in hand

Arrangements are in place for the eventual title holders to provide opposition on Wednesday 26 May when the Japanese arrive for a Murrayfield clash with Scotland a week later.

Currently, Currie are neck and neck with Ayr with five matches remaining and Donaldson hailed the extra incentive while refusing to be sidetracked from the main task in hand, which is repeating the club's championship success of 2007.

Said Donaldson: "As a player, I was fortunate enough to play against international touring sides but it is an aspect that is lost on the current generation.

"Such a fixture would test them as players and would also provide a good financial windfall for our club but there is a lot of rugby to be played before then starting with what will be a very difficult encounter at West tomorrow."

The West clash has come about as a consequence of a revamped schedule which keeps as many teams as possible active bearing in mind Ayr will be playing Melrose next week in the Cup Final.

Donaldson added: "Facing West tomorrow is going to be particularly awkward since they will want to put on a performance not least because two of their ex-pros, Gordon Bulloch and Guy Perrett, are retiring and their coach John Beattie is stepping down."

By contrast, Currie are without clubs' international flanker Mark Cairns which makes the return of Ireland under-20 cap Mike Entwistle all the more provident after a season-long injury.

Napier University student Entwistle has been sidelined with shoulder damage and Donaldson added: "Michael is very abrasive and also very hungry; his return gives extra depth to our back row."

While Entwistle is set to graduate in Sport and Exercise, the good news for Currie is that he hopes to remain at Malleny Park in future as he bids to catch the eye of professional coaches.

Said the Ballymena-reared ace whose five appearances for Ireland under-20s includes a World Cup last year: "I'm delighted to be back since there was a chance I might never play again.

"Thankfully, a second operation on my dislocated shoulder has tightened up the joint and one of those I have to try to impress is former Currie player Mark Blair who is now working as development officer for the Irish Exiles.

"The upside to the terrible winter which has played havoc with scheduling is that rearrangements have given me a chance to take something from this season having started out with a game for Ballymena a fortnight ago."

Not only is Entwistle on the way back but Cypriot internationalist stand-off Andy Binikos has recovered from a broken leg sustained at Ayr in November and is looking to return imminently.

However, the South Africa-reared star, who was once part of the Natal Sharks set-up, is being married this weekend and has therefore delayed his return by a week.

Also back for Currie will be age-group internationalist Chris Kinloch as a major title push prepares to go into overdrive against rivals who only went down to Ayr deep in injury time in midweek.