Skilling forces way into Hamilton’s starting 15

YOUNG winger Craig Skilling comes into the Hamilton starting line-up as they look to build on their winning start to life in RBS Championship A when they travel to Dumfries this afternoon.

During the summer, Skilling was one of a number of the club’s talented under-18 players who made the step-up to senior rugby and was among the substitutes last week as they defeated Whitecraigs 32-15, scoring a cracking try.

And now he will start against the Saints with second-row Stuart Clark, formerly of Stewart’s Melville, also coming in. Clark’s inclusion means skipper Andy Hill moves to the back-row.

Dumfries lost 43-6 at Cartha Queens Park last week and will be looking forward to getting things on track in their first home match of the campaign. Ardrossan Accies and Marr both started off with convincing wins last week and their clash at Memorial Field will be fascinating.

Marr ran in 19 tries against West of Scotland, but are unlikely to find Ardrossan’s defence as easy to break down.

The other clubs who have one win from one – Cartha Queens Park and Falkirk – are up against West and Dalziel respectively.

Whitecraigs host Greenock Wanderers.

In RBS Championship B, the Hawick YM-Murrayfield Wanderers match is off, the latter being unable to field a front-row. Early-season leaders Musselburgh are hosting Kirkcaldy in East Lothian while second placed Aberdeenshire take the trip to Hawthornden to face Lasswade. Last week Lasswade sneaked past Livingston thanks to a late drop goal by player/coach Bernie Hennessey.

Jed-Forest travel to Haddington and Howe of Fife play Livingston at Duffus Park.