Rugby: Neil Armstrong in line for Accies debut

EDINBURGH ACCIES will give a debut to Neil Armstrong against Heriot’s at Raeburn Place tomorrow when they finally get their Premiership rugby Group B campaign under way.

A product of Telford College’s rugby performance course, winger Armstrong gets his chance with Jamie Farndale on Scotland under-20 duty.

Twice Accies have seen a scheduled trip to face Jed- Forest called off, but the delay has allowed injuries to clear and it is a near full strength squad who entertain Heriot’s.

The visitors restore Gregor Lawson to full back, with Gavin Cameron starting at prop and Jamie Parker on the bench. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne and Struan Cessford are both in Wales with Scotland Under 20s.

Also in Group B, Watsonians head for Stewart’s/Melville, with Mike Ker in the squad for the first time this season.

Stand-off Ker took a break to concentrate on his studies but he brings valuable experience on a day when Samoa ‘A’ cap Paul Tuala is expected to return to the back row alongside Niall Dennis.

A friendly in Gala pitch last weekend kept ‘Sonians ticking over when most other sides were inactive due to the frost and victory is essential after an opening-day defeat while Stew/Mel were seeing off Hamilton.

In Group A, Currie include prop Loma Kivalu for their revenge mission to Stirling County, who beat them in the opening stage of the Premiership.

Kivalu is from the same New Zealand club as second row Simon Marcell but Currie could face disruption, with under-20 cap Dougie Fife standing by for an Edinburgh Rugby debut against Ospreys tonight with Jim Thompson and Matt Scott facing late fitness tests.

Boroughmuir are also waiting to learn whether Sep Visser will be drafted into the Edinburgh line-up and already they are without experienced scrum half Sam Johnson for a trip to Gala. Making a first start in Johnson’s place will be Harry Fenton.

Returning to the wing for ‘Muir will be Rob Cairns, while Keith Buchan is on the bench for the first time this season.