SOUTHERN Knights head coach Bruce Ruthven has re-jigged his 9-10-12 axis ahead of tonight’s home match against Stirling County [kick-off 7.45pm], with the Borderers looking to pick up a first win in this Super6 Sprint Series campaign at the third time of asking.
Ben Afshar replaces fellow teenager Murray Redpath at scrum-half, 20-year-old Cameron Scott returns to stand-off and Robbie Chalmers is handed his first start for the franchise after impressing of the bench during last weekend’s defeat to Watsonians.
Meanwhile,Robbie Chalmersis handed his first start for the franchise at inside-centre after impressing off the bench in last weekend’s defeat to Watsonians.
In the pack, academy prospect Rudi Brown– who came off the bench for Edinburgh earlier this season – replacesRuaridh Knottat blindside flanker, andFraser RenwickreplacesRussell Andersonat hooker.
“We’ve have had a good week’s training with a big emphasis on making more of our chances to convert opportunities,” said Ruthven. “We played Stirling in a pre-season friendly which was a tight affair and they are coming off a strong win versus the Ayrshire Bulls, so we’re under no illusions as to how difficult the game is going to be, but at the same time everyone is looking forward to it.”
Opposite number Ben Cairns has also tinkered with his team selection,creating a new look midfield consisting ofDJ Innesat 13,Marcus Holdenat 12 (having played 15 then 10 the previous two weeks),Euan Cunninghamat 10 andHarry Russell(older brother of Finn) at 9.
In the pack,Gregor Hiddleston rotates in forGus Fraserat hooker,Lewis Skinner returns from injury at loose-head prop, andBenedict Grant makes his debut at No 8.
Southern Knights (versus Stirling County at The Greenyards, Friday @ 7.45pm): K Clark; I Sim, B Wara, R Chalmers, P Anderson; C Scott, B Afshar; G Shiells, F Renwick, I Brace, D Redpath, D Suddon, R Brown, W Nelson, H Borthwick. Subs: J Bett, C Bowker, B Riddell, R Knott, M Redpath, A Cross, N Chamberlain, J Henry.
Stirling County: L Trotter; R McKnight, D Innes, M Holden W Fifita; E Cunningham, H Russell; C MacMillan, G Hiddleston, L Skinner, J Pow, A Sinclair, H Ferguson, C Gordon©, B Grant. Subs: A Fraser, J McKenna, G Breese, H McLeod, J Spurway, F Burgess, C Beckett, M Gray.
