A Big Weekend With A Full Domestic And European Programme

TODAY, indeed this weekend, is a significant one for Rugby, the first full programme of the New Year; we also have European games, plus a full Tennent's League fixture list. No side is under greater pressure I would say, than Glasgow, who entertain Cardiff, at Scotstoun on Sunday.

Rob Harley - 200 not out this weekend

Given their final European game is away to Saracens, they really MUST beat their Welsh visitors, and with a bonus point if possible. That pressure to win is ratcheted-up by their run of three straight defeats – a statistic which has surely played its part in the team Dave Rennie has named, which (as ever in 1-23 order) is:

Oli Kebble, Grant Stewart, D’Arcy Rae, Rob Harley, Scott Cummings, Ryan Wilson (Co-Captain), Callum Gibbins (Co-Captain), Matt Fagerson; Ali Price, Brandon Thomson; DTH van der Merwe, Sam Johnson, Nick Grigg, Tommy Seymour; Stuart Hogg. Replacements: Kevin Bryce, Alex Allan, Petrus du Plessis, Tim Swinson, Chris Fusaro; George Horne, Adam Hastings, Lee Jones.

Players unavailable through injury: Fraser Brown (knee), Alex Dunbar (thigh), Zander Fagerson (ankle), Jonny Gray (shoulder), Siua Halanukonuka (calf), Pete Horne (knee), Niko Matawalu (illness), Robbie Nairn (knee) and George Turner (ankle).

Brandon Thomson - starts at 10 for Glasgow

The main talking point is Rennie's preference for South African Brandon Thomson, ahead of Adam Hastings in the crucial number ten role – Hastings clearly being taken out of the front line following his recent travails. Jonny Gray, another key man who has been a bit under par of late also misses out, through a shoulder injury.

Let's hope big Rob Harley gets the winning return he deserves from his feat in being the first Glasgow player to rack-up 200 appearances – a richly-deserved honour for this wonderful club servant. Co-Captain Ryan Wilson is another looking for a good win, as he makes his 150^th appearance for the club.

Can I just say, by the way: no less than 15 of the 23 men in the Glasgow squad have come through the ranks from the Premiership, you know, that competition which, in the eyes of the SRU Performance Department, is not fit for purpose.

BEFORE that, at tea time tonight to be precise, Edinburgh go into the lions' den, when they face Toulon, in France. Not that long ago, this match would be looked on as a damage limitation exercise for the capital club. However, having beaten the French giants in Edinburgh, and with Richard Cockerill keen to put one over on his former employers, and confidence high after back to back wins over Glasgow, and a big win over Southern Kings – to quote the late Barry Norman: “Why not?”

Cockerill means business – as can be seen from his chosen squad, which is (again in 1-23 order):

Pierre Schoeman, Stuart McInally (Captain), WP Nel, Ben Toolis, Grant Gilchrist, Jamie Ritchie, Hamish Watson, Viliame Mata; Henry Pyrgos, Jaco van der Walt; Duhan van der Merwe, Chris Dean, James Johnstone, Darcy Graham; Blair Kinghorn.

Replacements: David Cherry, Allan Dell, Simon Berghan, Fraser McKenzie, Luke Crosbie; Nathan Fowles, Simon Hickey, Juan Pablo Socino.

Unavailable due to injury: Pietro Ceccarelli, Rory Sutherland, Lewis Carmichael, John Barclay, Magnus Bradbury, Senitiki Nayalo, Luke Hamilton, Matt Scott, Mark Bennett, Damien Hoyland.

Toulon have won just once in their four matches thus far, so will be keen to regain some pride by winning. They are, if they get it right, capable of doing this, but, I can well see Edinburgh, at the least, coming away with at least one, and maybe two losing bonus points to remain well inside the knock-out qualification mix.

MEANWHILE, after last weekend's two catch-up fixtures, the Tennent's Premiership in full kicks in with some intriguing games. None more than the Malleny Park meeting of fourth-placed Currie Chieftains and third-placed Heriot's.

In addition to “Top Dogs in Edinburgh” bragging rights, not forgetting league points, there is the battle for a top four place in the end of season play-offs. And with fifth-placed Watsonians not that far behind, defeat could be a big hurdle to overcome in the battle for the big prize at the end of the season.

The annual Ayr v Melrose battle at the top of the table continues with interesting matches against Boroughmuir and Stirling County respectively.

Ayr looked to have got over their wee pre=Christmas stutter by winning at The Greenyards last time out, and Peter Murchie will be looking for a win against Boroughmuir, at Millbrae. Having already won at Meggetland, earlier this season. Ayr should be capable of doing the double. They will be favourites to do this, but, it will not be easy.

 Ben Cairns - coaches County for the first time today

Melrose know, even without the hoped-for “new Coach bounce,” Ben Cairns – having arrived from Currie – County, at Bridgehaugh would be a tough nut to crack. It will be interesting to see what happens, but, I fancy Melrose will win to further consolidate their top two place, with its home play-off prize.

Watsonians, as discussed above, are not out of the play-off equation, and will be confident of using home advantage to overcome a Glasgow Hawks side who have, so often this season, been their own worst enemies. But, if they can cut out the errors, Hawks will, at the last, run their hosts close.

The final game sees basement boys Edinburgh Academical still seeking their first win of the season, entertaining resurgent Hawick. Defeat will not relegate Accies, but, it will ensure, the best they can hope for would be a place in the promotion/relegation play-of – always assuming the SRU can make up their minds as to whether or not such a match will be played at the end of the campaign.

I have been invited to the pre-match lunch at Millbrae this afternoon. Ayr honcho Billy McHarg says he is seating me with the Boroughmuir contingent, so, it will be interesting to hear how they are approaching Super-6 and their thoughts on all the uncertainties surrounding the game at the start of this crucial year of 2019. At least, the scran at Millbrae is always good, and Sean Lineen is lined-up to speak, and he is always good value.