Scotland Club XV: Fraser Thomson back on squad

Thomson is one of two changes made by head coach Phil Leck after the win over Ireland Club XV at Netherdale last week.

Thomson comes in at full-back with Currie’s Jamie Forbes moving on to the wing for the game at Bourgoin, while Ayr scrum-half Peter Jericevich is promoted from the bench in place of Gala’s unavailable George Graham, and his teammate Murray McConnell, another Glasgow Elite Development Player steps up to the bench. The scrum-half is the only uncapped member of the squad.

That means a new half-back pairing, but one of the most talented available in the club game, with Jericevich having starred on the world sevens circuit with Scotland and Millar’s form with Gala having earned him a professional contract with London Scottish next season.

In the pack, Edinburgh EDPs Robin Hislop and Alex Allan sandwich former Edinburgh pro hooker Fraser Brown in the front row, with their capital team-mate Hamish Watson in the back row again alongside skipper Mark Cairns, from Currie, and Melrose’s talented young No 8 Andrew Nagle.

Leck said: “The changes in the squad have mostly occurred due to players’ work commitments and Fraser returning from injury. We want to promote continuity in this squad and we have selected players on what they can offer our game-plan.

“Last Friday, the lads who came off the bench put in a fantastic effort.”

Having taken possession of the Dalriada Cup for the first time since it’s introduction in 2011, with victory against the Irish, the Scotland Club XV will travel to France seeking to record two victories in the same season for the first time. They have beaten the French at home in both previous meetings but lost both away games, going down 13-12 in their first clash in 2009 and then 30-18 in Orleans two years ago.

Leck added: “We’re going to France to win and I hope we can play and defend in the same way as we did last Friday.”