RISING star Chris Fusaro has backed Heriot's to maintain a winning start to the Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership at Watsonians tomorrow while he looks forward to adding further to a glowing rugby CV.
"I'll have to sit this one out due to appearing in Edinburgh's back-up team against Leinster at Lasswade on Monday but, if Heriot's can maintain the form shown in the first half before eventually beating Hawick last week, I'm sure we have the talent
to come good," said the flanker tipped to become the latest off the club conveyor belt into the pro ranks.
To an extent Fusaro is already there, having been invited along by Edinburgh on their pre-season trip to Bath.
He recalls: "It was a marvellous experience to train for two days with Edinburgh, even if I failed to get a game and had to rise at 4.30am on the Saturday morning to get back in time to play for Heriot's where, although starting on the bench, I quickly found myself pitched in following an injury to Jamie Parker.
"As for taking that next step, it is flattering to be mentioned by peers as a possible pro but I just want to keep my head down and see what happens."
Where Fusaro reckons he can benefit is having an experienced back rower alongside him at Heriot's in Tam McVie.
"Tam's taken on the captaincy and led us well last week, although standards will have to be maintained at 'Sonians where they have equally slick backs and a good young flanker in Stuart McInally, who I know from Academy rugby."
'Sonians are set to blood Kiwi utility forward Andrew Tweed from off the bench, while Andrew Welsh will have a fitness test to determine whether he claims the propping berth from evergreen Gary Scott.
It is, though, McInally who is capturing the imagination with the club's website billing the team "McInally and Co" – quite a compliment to a player with one league start under his belt.
Meanwhile, Currie backs' coach Graham Hogg is calling on his side to play to the final whistle at home to Boroughmuir after seeing a 21-8 half-time lead transformed into a 24-28 defeat at Selkirk.
"We ran out of steam a bit," admitted Hogg before adding "but there were mitigating circumstances in that we were trying to get a new-look team to gel."
Those debuting for the Malleny Park side included teenage wingers Dougie Fife and Jamie Harris while South African Mark Fouche and Blair Skipper formed a new half-back partnership. Up front Mitch Murphy was having his first outing at second row.
Hogg said: "All the new lads did well but it was inevitable they'd need time to settle in.
"A visit to a newly promoted Borders team followed by the champions is a pretty tough start but we are hoping (former Scotland tourist] Gavin Scott will be available to hook this weekend, while clubs' international scrum-half Richard Snedden is on his way back from injury."
Currie's early season fortunes appear to have been summed up by the fact that, no sooner had Colin Quigley returned from Beziers than the prop forward fractured a hand, although Hogg is hoping he will be in contention for a place next week.
For Boroughmuir, who completed the double over Currie last season, a late fitness test could determine the availability of Scottish clubs' full back Stephen Ruddick after he collected an ankle knock a week ago. Recalled after being unavailable for the opening win over Edinburgh Accies are Ally Ness, Elgan O'Donnell, Stuart Waddell, Tom Bury and Olo Brown.
'Muir manager Ally McLean says: "We have fresh faces in a squad who have been working on defence after maybe underestimating Accies in our 34-14 win.
"Overall, though, we got a launch pad to the new season which is something we aim to build on at Currie."
Edinburgh Accies give debuts to teenage full back Tom Brown and flanker Ewan Milne when they entertain a Stirling County side who beat them home and away last season.
Also called up is former Edinburgh and Rotherham second row Nathan Pike, while experienced ex-prop Ramin Mathieson starts on the bench.
Coach Ian Barnes says emphasis this week has been on ball retention. "Looking back at last week's game with Boroughmuir I wondered how aware our backs are of what goes into getting possession and they have to look after it better.
"It was too fast and loose last week," says the doyen of Scotland's club coaches.
In Division Two Stewart's/Melville head to the Borders for a clash with fellow opening day winners Gala.
Also on the road are Musselburgh, who visit Aberdeen Grammar FPs while Haddington look to build on a bonus point win first-up when they receive Dundee High FPs.
• LASSWADE are holding a mini/midi rugby open day at Hawthornden from 11am to 1pm on Sunday for youngsters aged five up to Primary 7.
Further details from Paul Bierman at rugby@bierman.freeserve.co.uk or on 07974-673 842
The full article contains 858 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
