The British & Irish Cup has rapidly captured the imagination of players, coaches and supporters alike.
But when three of Scotland's RBS Premiership clubs embark on their maiden campaigns in the tournament this weekend, the anticipation may be tinged with anxiety. It isn't simply that two of the trio, Stirling County and Dundee HSFP, have suffered from the debilitating effects of injury to key personnel, partially explaining their lowly league positions of seventh and ninth, but also that the Caledonian contingent face some of the biggest names in the British game in these forthcoming challenges.
At least Gala, who entertain London Scottish at Netherdale on Saturday, are in fine fettle, fresh from an emphatic away win against Dundee at Mayfield, which has maintained their championship momentum. Yet their redoubtable coach, George Graham, recognises the size of the task awaiting his side against the Exiles.
"There are strong ties between the sides, and a lot of players, myself included [and the 1990 Grand Slam hero, Derek White], have turned out for both teams during our careers, so it should be a fantastic occasion, and I know that our fans are thrilled at the prospect of us being involved in this cross-border event for the first time," said Graham, the former Scotland prop. "But we shouldn't be under any illusions. Of course, we want to win games if we can, but we are using it more as a learning experience, an opportunity for the boys to test themselves in the physical stakes against full-time professionals.
"I don't think there is a huge difference, in terms of fitness and skill levels, but I expect the London Scottish lads to be bigger than us, so a lot will depend on how we deal with that situation at the set pieces. We are not fazed by this match, and I will be disappointed if our guys aren't really buzzing, because we have 27 or 28 lads who want to be involved, and I can only pick a squad of 22."
Ian Rankin, the Dundee coach, would relish a sliver of the continuity enjoyed by Graham as he prepares to travel to Swansea with the same depleted squad he has had to make do with in recent weeks. "It has been pretty difficult and I reckon most clubs would struggle if they had nine or 10 of their starting XV out with injury, as has happened to us for the last three weeks," said Rankin. "We can't go out and buy new players and, as somebody who has gone down to Swansea with the Edinburgh Reivers, and the Caley Reds, I appreciate how tough it is to come away with a result. But the bottom line is we are representing the Scottish club circuit."
Stirling County's mentor, Graham Young, has also suffered from striving to cope without a hospital ward's worth of casualties, and will have to galvanise his charges for the arrival of Neath, an institution in Wales, which has churned out international luminaries such as Jonathan Davies, Scott Gibbs, and Shane Williams.
However, Young's attitude embodies the enthusiasm felt by the Scottish fraternity for the cup. "This [event] can put you in the shop window, it offers youngsters a chance to find out whether they can step up to the next level," said Young. "We won't be the favourites, and we know they will be well organised, and well-structured, but this is a showpiece afternoon and we want to go out and enjoy it."
PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEKEND: Cartha Queen's Park took a potentially decisive step towards winning promotion by trouncing Whitecraigs 47-5. It not only maintained their 100% record, but sent them 10 points clear in the Scottish Championship League A.
TALKING POINT: Aberdeen Grammar have gone seven matches without recording a win. How long before the club looks for a replacement for coach, Alex Duncan?
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