Having missed his side's memorable 27-6 win over Newport last month Andy Nicol, the Glasgow Caledonian Reds captain, returns to their side for tonight's visit to Pontypridd.

His recall, in place of Fraser Stott, is one of only two changes to the side, with Guy Perrett, the West of Scotland lock, in for

broken finger victim Jason White.

It is a match for which the theme is keeping up the good work for the Reds in Wales and not just because of that win in Newport.

Neither Scottish side having previously won in Wales this season, the Reds were well on course to end that sequence leading 21-14 at half-time when a miniature tornado struck

Pontypridd's Sardis Road ground in November.

Tommy Hayes, their stand-off, was playing brilliantly at the time, but stressed that they should base any confidence they take into tonight's match on more recent experience, the win over Newport having been their third in Wales since then, following victories at Cross Keys and Llanelli.

''It was all very frustrating last time at Pontypridd,'' he said.

''We were in control, but it all counted for nothing.

''We have to start again from square one, but that last game is irrelevant. What we have to do is try to play on the back of that trip to Newport, which was our best display of the season.''

l Scotland recorded a convincing win in their second match of the junior world championship in Chile. Stewart's Melville scrum-half Jamie Blackwood grabbed a hat trick as the Scots, who now meet Ireland on Thursday, ran in 10 tries in their 62-19 win over South Korea.