EDINBURGH Accies have shaken up their team with six changes going into tomorrow's Scottish Hydro Premiership derby at Boroughmuir.
Coach Ian Barnes has wielded the axe following three straight defeats with the pack coming in for the bulk of criticism.
"You can't play without the ball, our prospects depend entirely on how much we win," said Barnes.
With a view to maxi
mising whatever ball Accies do win, Edinburgh pro Ross Samson and Fijian internationalist Jack Prasad start at half back with national academy player Alex Blair on the wing.
Prasad marked his debut from off the bench last week with a try and also returning to the starting line-up are prop Johnny McSorley and second-row forward Nathan Pike, while clubs internationalist Dan Teague is listed after a substitute stint in the home defeat by Watsonians.
It will be another opportunity for the younger of the three Blair brothers – Mike and David are with Edinburgh – to demonstrate versatility having previously turned out against Selkirk at full back and against West at centre.
Boroughmuir have been dealt a blow with the unavailability of top scorer Stephen Ruddick, which means a switch to full back for Elgan O'Donnell.
Tom Bury's absence at a Scotland sevens training camp means a start for Rob Cairns and the presence of Edinburgh pro Andy Easson is a boost to the midfield because James Fish, one of the few 'Muir players to impress against Currie last week, is recovering from injury.
Teenage flanker Cammy Orr makes his first start of the season as Ali McLeod has returned to Bath University.
The Commonwealth Games sevens get-together in India, venue for next year's tournament, denies Watsonians Stuart McInally for a home clash with Glasgow Hawks. Tal Weizman comes in at second row for Mark Rennie (injured knee) and the captaincy switches to hooker Gregor Wood. New faces on the bench are recent Scotland under-18 back row Callum Evans and former Jed-Forest goal-kicker Seb Trotter.
Dangerman for Hawks will be young stand-off Duncan Weir, who has become the league's leading points scorer.
At Malleny Park league leaders Currie will give a late fitness test to Richard Snedden (ankle) to see if the scrum-half is able to fill a bench role with Andy Binikos already selected at No.9 in moving from stand-off where Matthew Scott comes in.
Snedden's fellow clubs' internationalist Ross Weston is already out with rib damage, which means a call up to the back row for James Taggart while John Cox's absence on duty with the Scottish rugby league side provides an opportunity for Andrew Reekie to start.
For Heriot's, a home clash with Dundee High sees changes at hooker and back row from the side which won at Glasgow Hawks.
With Struan Dewar on sevens duty Jason Hill deputises at flanker while Scott Burnett regains the hooking berth – one of three ex-Dundee players in the home ranks.
Dundee make four changes for what coach Ian Rankin terms a match against "a team packed with talent and ability" and all eyes will be on the front rows where the Herioters' Alan Dymock goes head-to-head with brother Neil. Adding to family tensions is the fact Alan shares a flat with younger brother Andy, who lines up at scrum-half.
"The banter started a fortnight ago and, since then, Dundee have gone on to win four-in-a-row. That means their surprise element is fading," says Alan.
Stewart's Melville head for West heartened by a four-try bonus point in defeat by Selkirk last week. Returning after the birth of his child is flanker Paul Voy.
In Division Two, Haddington have an opportunity to leapfrog Jed-Forest at Neilson Park.
Musselburgh ran up against unbeaten Division Three leaders Falkirk last week but should find things more straightforward, even away, at Dumfries.
