Dundee High have put themselves into position to win a prized British and Irish Cup place but need the consistency away from Mayfield to confirm it.
High travel to Currie, the second of three meetings with this year’s B&I Cup qualifiers with Ayr to come at home next week, conscious of the need to start picking up points away from home.
A fine win at Boroughmuir on the opening day was welcome but despite the excellent victory over champions and league leaders Melrose last week, head coach Ian Rankin wants more results from his team. “A B&I Cup place is our target and we’ll only get that if we get some consistency of performance away from home,” he said.
“The performances at Stirling and Gala were well short of our potential and this is the second of a hard run of three games.”
Defensively last week’s performance was much more up to scratch and as a result a minimum of changes have been made to the backline, with only two enforced.
James Fleming misses out with a knee knock while Cam Wyper, helped from the field after a heroic last-gasp try-saving tackle last week, is also absent to gain time for recovery.
However Rankin rewards Colin Strachan for his solid performance in the centre against Melrose and the two promoted are Jamie Urquhart and the fleet South African Tom Seabala, who makes his first start on the left wing.
Harry Duthie and Jack Steel late call-offs last week, allowing Strachan into the team are both on the bench and the pack is unchanged for the second successive week.
Kirkcaldy’s 3-0 win over GHA was the first minimum the Blues have had for 24 years, Gavin McKenzie’s first-half penalty proving just enough to keep them top of Premier Three and should stay there even if they fail to take anything from second-placed Lasswade tomorrow.
Howe of Fife inflicted only a second defeat for Lasswade last week but have yet to win away from Duffus Park and head to Greenock Wanderers.
Morgan are looking to put a bit of distance between themselves and the bottom two at home to Haddington while Perthshire go to Ardrossan Accies.
Dunfermline romped home against Livingston last week to move into third in National One, and face second-placed Hawick YM in the Borders.
Strathmore were held at Aberdeen University last week, leaving them four adrift of Caledonia One leaders Aberdeenshire, and this week make the long journey to Orkney.
Grangemouth and Harris continue to pace each other at the top of Caley Two Midlands but there is a serious test to unbeaten Harris at St Andrews University.
Panmure take their unbeaten record and seven-point lead in Caley Three to Bridgehaugh.
RBS League matches this weekend:Premier One Currie v Dundee HSFP.Premier Three Greenock Wanderers v Howe of Fife, Lasswade v Kirkcaldy, Morgan v Haddington, Ardrossan Accies v Perthshire.National One Dunfermline v Hawick YM.Caledonia One Mackie Academy FP v Aberdeen University, Orkney v Strathmore, Glenrothes v Hillfoots, Highland v Gordonians, Caithness v Aberdeenshire.Caledonia Two Midlands Kinross v Fife Southern, Madras v Alloa, Grangemouth v Blairgowrie HSFP, Stirling University v Carnoustie HSFP, St Andrews University v Harris Academy FP.Caledonia Three Midlands Montrose and District v Stobswell, Bridgehaugh v Panmure, Bannockburn v Crieff & Strathearn, Waid Academy v Arbroath.