Game On - And On Free To Air TV No Less

GAME DAY 3 of the new season, and if there isn't a stand-out fixture in the Tennent's Premiership, there are still some interesting games. Plus, the wee bonus of Glasgow's game against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein being, if not on “coonsil telly,” at least free to air on Freeview Channel 95 – Freesports.

Edinburgh, after a couple of near misses, finally posted a win, when they beat Connacht 17-10 at Murrayfield last night, and, even in the far-harder environment of the high veldt, I fancy Glasgow can keep the feel good mood alive by posting another victory.

Huw Jones scoring - something Glasgow will be hoping to see if he gets off the bench tonight

Warriors have taken a 29-strong touring party away with them for their two-week South African safari – they move on from Cheetahs to face Southern Kings. Nick Grigg, Stuart Hogg and co-captain Ryan Wilson are all listed as injured, so the match-day squad, as usual in 1-23 order, reads:

1. Oli Kebble, 2. Fraser Brown, 3. Zander Fagerson, 4. Scott Cummings, 5. Jonny Gray, 6. Rob Harley, 7. Callum Gibbins (CAPTAIN), 8. Adam Ashe; 9. Ali Price, 10. Adam Hastings ; 11. DTH van der Merwe, 12. Pete Horne, 13. Alex Dunbar, 14. Tommy Seymour; 15. Ruaridh Jackson. Replacements: 16. George Turner, 17. Alex Allan, 18. D’Arcy Rae, 19. Matt Fagerson, 20. Chris Fusaro, 21. George Horne, 22. Nick Frisby,
23. Huw Jones.

(A wee aside here: I have made two separate applications to know the identities of the three playing members of the travelling party who will not be stripped tonight. I know, from looking at pictures of Warriors in training that big Greg Peterson is in South Africa with Warriors, but the identities of the other two players appear to be state secrets. Jack Reid – your job is to help rather than hinder journalists, just do it.)

Rant over – the main interest in the squad is surely the probable return to action, off the bench, of Huw Jones – back in the land where he was discovered. But, perhaps of greater significance is the fact both George Horne and Nick Frisby are named alongside Jones among the replacements. Who will come on, and where, should it be necessary to replace Adam Hastings, is an interesting wee aside, as both Horne Minor and Frisby can cover ten – as of course can Pete Horne, and Ruaridh Jackson.

PROBABLE Match of the Day in the Tennent's Premiership is at Myreside, where Melrose, already in their familiar spot at the head of the table, face Watsonians, a team well-capable of testing them, and clearly looking to bounce back from last week's late, late loss to Heriot's. Speaking of the Nails, they are on the road this week, travelling as far as Raeburn Place, to take on an Edinburgh Academical outfit still seeking their first win back in the top flight.

The third match in and around the capital is at Malleny Park, where Currie Chieftains will be hoping to find Hawick are less defensively-sound than Ayr proved to be last week. George Graham, on the other hand, will be hoping his youngsters still have that old Hawick resiliance in the face of adversity and can put their two heavy defeats behind them. Winning will be a big ask for the Greens, but, in their place, even a narrow defeat would spell progress.

In the West, another young side finding it tough this season so far – Glasgow Hawks – entertain high-scoring Boroughmuir, at Balgray. If the home pack, for whom Glasgow Warrior Matt Sagainstmith returns following his one-game suspension after his double yellow cards against Heriot's, can generate enough possession, then Hawks' back three of Bobby Beattie, All Black Lelia Masaga and fit-again Scotland cap Lee Jones just might tell Peter Wright if his high-scoring back line can defend as well as they attack.

Ayr;s Blair Macpherson was smitten by the "burd" in the pink dress and hat last week

Finally, at Millbrae, the last two Super-6 clubs, Ayr and Stirling County lock horns. The atmosphere here will be a bit less frenetic than last week – over 300 Prosecco-fuelled Bonnie Lassies do create a bit of a din – but, if Ayr and County can match the quality of rugby we got last week, this should be quite a game.

Niko will again be in County colours this afternoon

The big draw here is the appearance of Niko Matawalu in the County ranks, after visa problems kept him off the flight to South Africa. The appearance of the wee Weegie frae Fiji magician will hopefully bring a few non-regulars out.

And, here's hoping too, the great Allan Hosie, after his health scare, last week, is deemed fit to travel and in attendance.

National League 1's card has flung-up some crackers. Table-topping GHA welcome Jed-forest to Braidholm, while down at Philiphaugh, there will be a typical Borders battle, as Selkirk and Kelso lock horns. Fourth welcomes third at Fullarton, where Marr will do battle with Musselburgh; elsewhere, Gala will have Dundee HSFP visiting Netherdale, Aberdeen GSFP play hosts to Kirkcaldy and Hamilton entertain Cartha-Queen's Park.

National League 2 leaders Biggar hit the road, to Howe of Fife, while second-placed Falkirk are at home to Whitecraigs. Third-placed Peebles' home clash with Preston Lodge looks tasty, while high-flying Highland welcome GHK to Inverness.

The final two fixtures in this division pit Stewart's Melville against Glasgow Academical at Inverleith, while Dumfries Saints play hosts to Lasswade.

National League 3's programme includes what we should maybe call the “Ferry Derby”, with Caithness making their shortest “road trip” of the season – to Orkney. Elsewhere, league leaders Gordonians trek south to Maybole, to face a Carrick side who had an unusual experience last week – they lost in Glasgow. The men from Aberdeen can expect a warm welcome. Top fixture in this division might well be the clash of Newton Stewart and Ardrossan Academicals, while the other fixtures see Haddington entertain Hillhead-Jordanhill, St Boswell's welcoming West of Scotland and finally, Murrayfield Wanderers hosting Perthshire.

There will also be the usual little local differences in the Regional Leagues. No space to preview the many games here, but, I will be running a round-up on Monday. I just have room to say, Fin Calder has apparently won his mind games battle with Iain Milne, the new composite Stewart's Melville/Heriot's “social” XV, playing in the Edinburgh Reserve League, Division Two is now, officially: Ferry Road Wanderers, the name Fin wanted. Funnily enough, I preferred The Bear's suggestion of: The Smelly Nails, and, I wasn't alone in that. That name just screams: “Coarse Rugby.”