Scotland's superteams take on Irish opposition tonight with the clear objective of banishing the ills of last weekend, when Glasgow Caledonians lost to Ulster, and Edinburgh Reivers went down to Munster.
Tonight at Bridgehaugh the Reds face a Connacht team which in the past may have been regarded as lightweight opposition but which upset the form book recently by defeating Ulster in this season's Irish provincial championship, now at its half-way stage.
The Reds will field an exciting back line that has been strengthened by the return of Tommy Hayes and James Craig, the
latter's replicated on the other wing by Derek Stark.
Also back in the side after injury is international hooker Kevin McKenzie, who will be propped on the loosehead by British Lion Tom Smith.
Robertson has again selected Jason White at blindside flanker, the position that now seems to offer him the best future. ''I think that Jason will end up as a No.6. He has performed consistently for us this season even although he is new to the position. What has impressed me is his high-tackle count,'' said Robertson.
Connacht will be without their Ireland stand-off Eric Elwood, who will be out of the game for an indeterminate period after damaging medial ligaments.
Also missing from the
Connacht line-up because of injury are Samoan flanker Junior Charlie and former Ireland A hooker Billy Mulcahy.
However, the provincial side is strengthened by the return of scrum half Conor McGuinness and wing Nigel Carolan.
Edinburgh Reivers, who face Leinster under the Ponder Park lights in Kelso tonight, have been hit by a flu bug that has swept through the squad this week.
Definitely ruled out as a result of this malaise is prop Matthew Proudfoot who has been named as one of the replacements.
''A lot of guys were forced to miss training as a result of the bug,'' revealed Ian Rankin, the Edinburgh Reivers coach, who believes that his side contains a very exciting backline.
Alan Tait has been selected at left wing, his British Lions test position and the berth he
occupied not infrequently for Newcastle.
Tony Stanger provides finishing power on the other wing, while at centre the combination of Jamie Mayer and Cammie Murray offers creativity and not a little pace.
Rankin has opted for Duncan Hodge at stand-off this week and has selected Craig Chalmers for the bench.
Back for Leinster tonight will be the 13 times capped Ireland wing Denis Hickie, who proved his fitness last week with a three-try performance against Connacht in an A match.
As well as Hickie there will be a potent threat at stand-off in the shape of Alan McGowan who has scored 37 points so far in the Irish provincial championship this season. McGowan like his half back partner David O'Mahoney has one Ireland cap.
In the forwards Leinster field the experienced, Gabriel Fulcher at lock, Henry Hurley at loosehead and A caps Shane Byrne and Angus McKeen at hooker and tighthead prop respectively . Leinster , however, will be without the back row guile of Ireland cap Victor Costello. Teams:
Glasgow Caledonians - R Shepherd, J Craig, C Simmers, A Collins, D Stark, T Hayes, F Stott, T Smith, K McKenzie, W Anderson, S Grimes, G Perrett, J White, G Simpson, J Shaw. Substitutes - A Bulloch, I Jardine, D Patterson, G Mackay, M Waite, A Kittle, G McIlwham.
Connacht W Ruane, R Southam, P Duignan, M Murphy, N Carolan, O Cobbe, C McGuinness, J Maher, J McVeigh, M Finlay, G Heaslip, J Duffy, J Casserely, S Mcentee,I Dillon. Substitutes - D Reddan, A Raddan, S Allnutt, J Screene, M Cahill, D Lee, N Cullerton.
Edinburgh Reivers - H Gilmour, T Stanger, C Murray, J Mayer, A Tait, D Hodge, I Fairley, R McNulty, S Brotherstone, B Stewart, D Burns, I Fullarton, C Hogg, B Renwick, I Sinclair. Substitutes - S Lang, G Shiel, C Chalmers, C Black, A Roxburgh, G Hayter, K Allan.
Leinster - K Nowlan J McWeeney, D O'Sullivan, M Ridge, D Hickie, A McGowan, D O'Mahoney, H Hurley, S Byrne, A McKeen, H Kos, G Fulcher, D O'Brien, C McEntee, P Ward. Substitutes - B Carey, G D'Arcy, D Heggarty, P Smythe, E Byrne, L Cullen, C Brownlie.
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