Rugby: Goudie to miss out for Heriot’s

Heriot’s have been dealt a blow ahead of tomorrow’s crucial RBS Premiership clash at home to leaders Ayr.

For the first time in this league campaign, prolific outside back Colin Goudie will be missing from the ranks after fracturing a finger in a Cup tie against Stewart’s Melville a fortnight ago.

In 136 outings for the Goldenacre club Goudie has scored at a rate of more than try every second game and his total of 69 includes successive league strikes against Melrose and Edinburgh Accies in the last two league fixtures.

Taking over against opponents who are six points clear at the top ahead of Gala, who have a game in hand, is Max Nimmo while compared to the team which last contested a league fixture Russell Nimmo and Jamie Syme are called up as is winger Harry Boisseau.

Heriot’s went down 17-13 when the teams met in the reciprocal fixture but their task is made harder by Scotland props Ed Kalman and Jon Welsh who are working their way back from injury in the Ayr squad.

Boroughmuir head for Stirling fighting for survival but heartened by the fact their biggest league win so far was when the teams met at Meggetland.

Although Harry Leonard and Sep Visser are released by Edinburgh they will be without under-20 caps Damien Hoyland, Keith Buchan and Alex Henderson. Back from injury are Jamie Swanson and Malcolm Clapperton.

Boroughmuir’s hopes would be helped by an Edinburgh Accies win at second-bottom Dundee.

Accies field a new front row in Duncan Morrison, Michael Liness and Alex Allan while Ryan Godsmark is in the back row for the injured Hamish Watson. Third-placed Currie have a chance to close the gap on Gala when they visit the Borders with a squad showing Jamie Forbes back from injury at full back while Edinburgh scrum half Chris Leck starts on the bench. In the National League Stewart’s Melville are at home to Hamilton while Watsonians visit Selkirk.