A JOURNEY to Doncaster awaits Melrose this weekend and a British & Irish Cup opener against Doncaster Knights, writes Fiona Scott.
Selectors have went for the same starting backline as last weekend apart from Usaia Kalamafoni Jnr replacing Greig White who has returned home because of family commitments. The only change in the forwards is Edinburgh professional Alun Walker replaces Richard Ferguson. Richard Mill, who has been out injured, returns to the bench.
Forwards coach John Dalziel said that his team are looking forward to their third year of participation in the competition and their opening away tie at Doncaster.
“Every game is a step up in either physicality or tempo and on most occasions both,” he added.
“Doncaster are a big physical side with some real pace in the back three and will cause us huge problems if we don’t chop them low in the tackle area.
“We have looked closely at the way they play and we believe that if we get our basics skills right, keep the tempo of the game high, look after the ball for a number of phases, execute our game plan and are clinical in taking the opportunities that we create. Then we will give ourselves a great opportunity to get a positive result.
Melrose team v Doncaster Knights (2.30pm ko): F. Thomson; L. Mallin, B. Dick, J. Helps, U. Kalamafoni Jnr; A. Skeen, B. Colvine; N. Little, A. Walker, G. Holborn, R. Ovens, R. Miller, J. Dalziel, G. Runciman, A. Nagle. Subs: W. Mitchell, C. Srthur, S. Johnston, R. Ferguson, S. McCormick, R. Mill, S. Chalmers.