THE latest teenager to come off the Edinburgh Accies talent production line was today tipped to make his mark on his Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership debut tomorrow.
But it will be a baptism of fire for Tom Brown against champions Boroughmuir at Raeburn Place (kick-off 12 noon).
After an early season blighted by injury, Brown is included at full back for the first time and Accies' experienced centre/developm
ent officer Iain Berthinussen said: "Tom is one to watch out for. He's got plenty of pace and bags of enthusiasm to make things happen."
Brown's emergence coincides with a good week for up-and-coming back rower Tom Drennan, who will be aiming to celebrate inclusion in the Scottish under-20 squad with a win.
"Tom gets everywhere on the pitch and is always looking to link and, when you consider that stand off Alex Blair and prop Lewis Niven have gone virtually straight from school into the top club league, you know the future is bright," added Berthinussen.
To start harnessing their potential, Accies need to arrest a five-match losing streak against rivals whose Kiwi hooker, Sean O'Connor, will be experiencing a Capital derby for the first time.
Heriot's head for Hawick with pros Jim Thompson and Marc Teague released by Edinburgh but injury having ruled out prolific try-grabber Dave McCall.
Missing on Scotland sevens duty are Chris Fusaro and Struan Dewar.
When the teams met first time round, Heriot's squeezed home 22-18 and coach Bob McKillop is hopeful of a repeat – especially given a fresh influx of talent.
He said: "Stuart Bell has settled in well on the wing after joining from Madras and claimed his third top-team try in last week's win at Currie.
"That game saw a debut for inside centre Jordan Hepburn and we have high hopes for Rob Gray at open-side flanker."
By contrast last weekend's clash left Currie coach Ally Donaldson frustrated going into a home meeting with Selkirk.
He said: "We can't keep gifting tries the way we did last week, especially with Selkirk liable to have three or four pros available to them.
Donaldson's side are able to include Edinburgh winger Andy Turnbull, with Johnny Smith moving to full back.
For Watsonians there is a 24-hour wait to get into action against Stirling County and that disappoints coach Bruce Aitchison. He said: "It is strange that even at our level television is dictating when games kick off. All our players are amateurs who will have to forego their Saturday night out.
"At least it isn't going to happen too often and these players are serious enough about their rugby to adapt. They'll have to not least because a few other teams are going to be watching (BBC Alba) and taking note of the way we play, which is another reason to give a good account of ourselves," he says.
'Sonians will wait until nearer kick off to finalise a side with Stuart McInally, Fraser Brown, Will Rowley and Jonny Pelter among those expected to undergo late fitness tests.
In Division Two Haddington entertain Musselburgh while Stewart's-Melville visit Peebles.
The full article contains 532 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
