Rugby: Wilson is all revved up for battle of Colinton Road

Boroughmuir are battling to get one of the rising stars of Scottish rugby back into the fray as they prepare to put an unbeaten premiership record on the line at neighbours Watsonians tomorrow.

Multiple Scotland age-group cap Stevie Wilson moved across the city from Edinburgh Accies over the summer and wasted no time making an impact until going down heavily on a shoulder when Hawick were repelled a fortnight ago.

Now, the national academy graduate is close to putting the injury behind him and picking up where he left off with a try-scoring debut from centre at Selkirk on the opening day.

Wilson, capped at under-17, under-18 and under-19 level before being chosen a year early for the under-20 World Cup in 2009, said: "I've got a late fitness test when hopefully my sprained joint will stand up to close examination."

Murrayfield bosses have made no secret that they want up-and-comings performing at division one level and as a member of the Gael Force squad that competed in the British and Irish Cup last season, Wilson definitely comes into that category with both Scottish professional teams certain to be monitoring his progress.

He added: "I enjoyed my time at Accies before they went down even if I didn't see as much of the ball as I would have liked.

"In moving I'm not only close to Napier University where I am about to resume sports science studies but my rugby is now played between two of the best midfielders players around in Ally Warnock and Malcolm Clapperton.

"It is impossible not to learn from them and on my debut at Selkirk things were quite tough for the opening 20-30 minutes before everything clicked.

"I regard myself as an all-rounder in the centre and if I can't carry ball upfield myself I'll certainly be looking to release the outside backs."

Watsonians look to dig themselves out of a hole with a first win and also turn to youth this week.

Prop Ross Turner, who captained Fettes College to the 2008 Brewin Dolphin Schools Cup before joining Auckland University debuts as does Aussie second row Dan Gorman.

For Wilson, though, a match which is also played for the Allan McNish Cup in memory of Watsonians' ex-Barbarian forward will be a bit of a reunion since ex-Howe of Fife colleague Chris Fusaro is included in the Boroughmuir squad on release from Glasgow.

"Howe of Fife was a great place to learn rugby with victory in the Scottish Youth Cup (2007) a highlight," said Wilson of a team which has also supplied Peter Horne to the pro ranks.

Now he looks to follow them in drawing on a rugby background that started at primary school on the encouragement of dad, Sam, a Kirkcaldy stalwart.In the Boroughmuir pack Ally Davidson makes a timely return with Greig Scott nursing a shoulder injury while, in the Watsonian side that includes another ex-Howe of Fife player in stand-off Ross Aitken, there are call-ups for teenagers Grant Somerville and Jamie Forbes as well as Dougie Brown (ex-Boroughmuir).

Champions Currie have a chance to re-enter the title race when they entertain leaders Glasgow Hawks at Malleny Park.

Kiwi Hayden Abercrombie is out with a broken hand and Matt Scott also misses out but there are starts for Andy Binikos and Johnny Smith with Edinburgh pro Andy Turnbull on the bench.

Coach Ally Donaldson said: "Hawks will be coming to Malleny full of confidence and sitting top of the league. We look forward to the challenge this strong team presents."

Hawks are without joint top try-scorer Craig Gossman (3) due to ankle damage but sevens cap Mike Adamson returns at stand-off.

Perhaps the most difficult assignment falls to Heriot's who visit Ayr. Coach Bob McKillop is keeping his options open in four positions. At hooker the choice is between Finlay Gillies, Kevin Bryce and Scott Burnett while Jamie Parker and Mark Lee vie for a back row start with Wullie Blacklock and Gavin Cameron battling it out for a tight head prop role.

In the backs Gregor Hunter and Peter Saunders are bracketed for a start at centre.

For Ayr, Scott Forrest returns from Commonwealth Games Sevens training.

In Division Two, Edinburgh Accies aim to make it four wins out of four when hosting Gala but Stewart's Melville will be looking to get off the mark at home to GHA.

Similarly, Musselburgh are hoping to make it third time lucky when their Division Three campaign continues at home to Dunfermline.

"My rugby is played between two of the best midfielders in Ally Warnock and Malcolm Clapperton" stevie wilson