RBS Premier: Rankin ready to bow out with key win

All eyes will be on Mayfield and the Greenyards with the results having impact at both ends of the top flight. At Mayfield, Dundee HSFP take on Stirling County with the hosts knowing that a victory is needed to lift them away from ninth spot and a possible play-off with Hawick.

Things are so tight down there that even if they do earn a victory they could still end up ninth if Melrose win their match too, while Currie, who have finished their fixtures could also slump to that position.

All Dundee HSFP can focus on is their own performance though and with director of rugby Ian Rankin taking charge of his last ever match there should be no shortage of determination in the home ranks.

Rankin said: “We have performed really well in the second half of the leagues and the only reason we are in a game of such massive consequence is down to the devastating injury list we suffered in September and October. Preparation has gone well and if we play to our potential we will win.”

For the home side Andy Redmayne starts in the second-row after coming off the bench last week against Ayr in the RBS Cup semi-final. Ross Lemon is off shore and his place on the bench is taken by Mike Brown.

Stirling County can clinch a top four finish and a B & I Cup place if they secure an away victory, but their week has been interrupted by injuries. Even last night their squad was still to be confirmed with a number of players facing late fitness tests.

There could either be elation or despair for Melrose’s players come 4.30pm this afternoon. A win against Aberdeen Grammar could be enough to see them in to the B & I Cup while defeat could see them ninth. They go in to this one after a great RBS Cup semi-final win over Gala.

Grammar make the long trip south with B & I Cup aspirations of their own. Club internationalist Murray Douglas returns after injury to give them a big boost. Both matches kick-off at 3pm.

Squads: Dundee HSFP: J Urquhart; A McLean, H Duthie, R Lavery, C Bowie; J Steele, A Dymock; N Dymock, D Russell, G Robertson, A Redmayne, R Hawkins, D Levison, R McIver, I Wilson. Subs: S Longwell, P Islam, A Linton, C Cumming, M Brown.

Stirling County: TBC.

Melrose: F Thomson; C Anderson, B Dick, J Helps, A Dodds; R Mill, B Colvine; N Little, W Mitchell, G Holborn, R Miller, G Dodds, J Dalziel, A Nagle, G Runciman. Subs: R Ferguson, S Lowe, R Ovens, S McCormick, A Skeen.

Aberdeen Grammar: S Aitken; C Gordon, W Wardlaw, G Clow, A Rennie; R Aloe, M Ward; M Dixon, S O’Connor, N Fraser, S Smith, M Douglas, S Warnock, G Ryan, T McGuiness. Subs: C McConnachie, S Bingham, C Turner, A Hagart, L Earle-Wright..