Rugby: Meggetland the venue for pre-season round-robin

Boroughmuir welcome three other RBS Premiership teams to Meggetland for a round-robin tournament today as teams put the finishing touches to their preparations with the new season just seven days away.

The Edinburgh side will be up against fellow top-flight clubs Dundee HSFP, Stirling County and Edinburgh Accies in what will be an interesting gauge of form ahead of the competitive action.

Simon Cross’ Accies were a late addition to the line-up after English side Wharfedale withdrew on Thursday and the four clubs will play 40 minute matches with two pitches being utilised and the action getting underway at 2pm.

Boroughmuir centre Malcolm Clapperton, who captained the side last season, said: “We are looking forward to the event and it will be good to come up against Dundee HSFP and Stirling because we had good matches against them last season while Accies have strengthened well.”

With Clapperton now having been installed as director of rugby at Meggetland, it is yet to be decided whether he will skipper the first team again this term.

The honour of captain in their pre-season matches so far against Gala and Tynedale has gone to back-row Jamie Swanson.

Given he only turned 20 last month it is quite an honour, but he is a good communicator on the pitch and could be one to watch in the coming months.

In the front-row ‘Muir will field new arrival Kian Coertze (ex-Watsonians) while influential stand-off Ally Warnock is still out after a shoulder injury following an operation in the summer.

Elsewhere this afternoon, four other top-flight teams are in pre-season or Booker Border League action.

Ayr, with Calum Forrester installed as captain, are at Blaydon in Newcastle and Aberdeen Grammar are at new-look Glasgow Hawks.

New Heriot’s coaches Phil Smith and Steve Lawrie will be keen to see how their side is taking shape after last week’s win over Howe of Fife when they host old rivals Watsonians at Goldenacre.

And last year’s champions Melrose are in Booker Border League action at the Greenyards against Peter Wright’s Peebles side.

Last week ‘Rose were edged out 29-26 by Sale FC in Manchester and they will be hoping Scott McCormick and new arrival Richard Mill have recovered from a clash of heads suffered in that one.

Last night Currie were due to have played the Newcastle Falcons Academy and Gala were due to have played against Hawick YM in the Booker Border League.