Stand-off problems for County’s crunch match

Mar 6 2009 by Alan Rennie, Stirling Observer Friday

COUNTY have been landed a cruel blow prior to their vital relegation clash at Selkirk tomorrow (Saturday) over the availability of star stand-off Robbie McGowan.

The player himself wanted to play and County coach Ian Jardine wanted to select him but the SRU has contacted County saying they “would prefer he didn’t play” in advance of next Friday night’s under-20 international against Ireland at Perth.

Jardine was going to discuss the matter with the club committee and other coaches last night (Thursday) before proceeding.

McGowan’s last full game of rugby was against Hawks on January 17, seven weeks ago. Since then, he has been wrapped in cotton wool by the under-20 coaches despite only being used as a replacement for 40 minutes against Wales and then 10 minutes last week against Italy.

The situation is aggravated because both of County’s other options at stand-off, Brian Archibald and Allan Robertson, are injured. The outlook doesn’t look good for Archibald but Jardine is hoping that Robertson may make it if needed.

County lost just 30-29 to the Souters on their visit to Bridgehaugh in November. That one-point margin contrasts vividly with the 26 points that now separate the clubs in the table.

There are no big stars in the Selkirk side, just an enthusiastic bunch of youngsters with a high work-rate and team ethic.

County could have won the game back then and that knowledge will help them at fortress Philiphaugh, where Selkirk are unbeaten all season.

Ian Jardine said he was hoping to be able to field the following side for tomorrow’s 3pm kick-off:–

Addison; Lyndsay, Gilmour, Auld, Aitken; McGowan or Robertson, Calder; Hunter, Graham, Mountford, MacFarlane, Gilchrist, Eadie, Clarke and Deacons.

County will also have Stevie Wilson, Wilba Davies, Jason Hill, Kevin Bryce and Gordon McRorie available for the bench.

Still out with a recurrence of his groin strain injury is skipper Alex Moffat.

Raring to go tomorrow, however, is the latest County player tipped to go all the way in the game, the 6’8” teenager Grant Gilchrist.

Last week, he skippered the Scotland under-19s to a 55-13 demolition of Italy and many see him maturing in much the same way as ex-County and current Scotland star Al Kellock.

Gilchrist said: “Being made captain of Scotland is the highlight of my career so far.

“I haven’t worked with Al (Kellock) that much so far, but I’ve been inspired by what he has achieved in the game.

“He started out at Stirling County and has gone on to captain Glasgow Warriors and play for Scotland. So I would love to follow in his footsteps.”