Ringing the changes

Oct 10 2008 by Alan Rennie, Stirling Observer Friday

COUNTY have made big changes after last week’s horror show at Hawks.

Coach Ian Jardine said he was “very disappointed” with several aspects of Stirling’s play in the 42-8 hammering.

“We were far too slow to react in critical areas and, towards the end, we lost all shape from our play,” he said.

There are five personnel changes, plus a very important positional switch, for the game against West of Scotland at Bridgehaugh, which kicks off at 2pm.

Some of the changes have been caused by injuries with prop Garry Mountford undergoing an operation on his problem shoulder and scrum-half Graham Calder resting a rib injury.

On top of that, prop Mark Hunter, who has served County well by travelling up from England each week, has important university exams and is unavailable.

This prompted Jardine to check with Edinburgh whether professional Ryan Grant would be available.

“No pros are meant to be available for clubs this weekend because they are all doing promotional work with schools in connection with the Heineken Cup,” explained Jardine.

“But surely our lack of experienced props gives us a special case, not least on safety grounds. Remember that West will have a semi-pro lock on the park in academy player Richie Gray.”

County’s appeal for the release of Grant was still being considered yesterday.

Dropping from the starting line-up to the bench is the Fijian Aca Ratuva (“he needs time to settle in,” said Jardine) and lock Paul Wilson. Centre Graham Gilliland moves to the 2nd XV with Jonny Hope stepping up.

Perhaps the most exciting change is the switch of Robbie McGowan (right) to stand-off with Brian Archibald going to full-back.

Young Robbie will have a brand-new halfback partner in Alan Robertson, who has been getting rave reviews in the 2nd XV. The starting line-up is as follows:–

Archibald; Lyndsay, Hope, Gilmour, Aitken; McGowan, Robertson; Logan, Moffat, Davies, McFarlane, Gilchrist, Bryce, Eadie and Deacons.

On the bench are Aca Ratuva, Ryan Grant or AN Other, Paul Wilson, Andy Simpson and Dan Jackson.

At stake as ever in the clashes between the clubs is the magnificent silver Hamish Logan Memorial Trophy, or “The Coo” as it is known with great affection.

Hamish played with distinction for both West and Stirling before his tragic death in a road accident. County are the current holders of the trophy.