Barnes plays mind games for Accies

EDINBURGH ACCIES coach Ian Barnes today moved to bring his side back down to earth ahead of a Capital derby with Watsonians at Raeburn Place.

Accies occupy third place after a notable victory last weekend at Hawick but Barnes said: "Watsonians are a team I rate not only higher than Hawick but also Currie whom we've also beaten this season. The reason, quite simply, is that Watsonians contain better rugby players as they sometimes show by scoring tries from anywhere on the pitch."

On the face of it, Accies did well to bounce back from a home defeat by Melrose to win at Hawick but Barnes insisted: "I thought we turned a corner in that Melrose match although we didn't win. That helped us at Hawick where it was amusing to hear complaints that we hadn't entertained enough.

"I don't remember Hawick crowds being too concerned by that sort of thing when their team was winning titles."

For Watsonians, the highly-rated Stuart McInally returns to the back row after missing the team's disappointing home display in defeat to Boroughmuir while, on the bench, Jayden Thrush returns for the first time this season alongside Ian Condell. Among the backs Ben Di Rollo replaces the injured Alan Nash.

Edinburgh Accies: Walker, Coupar, I Berthinussen, Kinloch, Rattray, Bonner, Campbell, Lah, Price, Niven, Stuart, Pike, Drennan, Turner, J Berthinussen. Subs: Milton, A Blair, Henderson, Strachan, Smith.

Watsonians: Rowe, Saena, Brown, Minto, Di Rollo, Ker, Blackwood, Howe, Coertze, Wood, Fisher, Callander, Tweed, Hills, McInally, Pelter. Subs: Scott, Tunnah, Thrush, Condell.

Meanwhile, Currie entertain Hawick with a side showing two changes from that which won at Melrose. Kevin McShane is restored to the wing while Gary Temple takes over from former Ulster European Cup winner Mark Blair who has come out of retirement although he is unavailable this week.

"Mark Blair's decision is particularly welcome in helping provide a blend of youth and experience," said Currie coach Ally Donaldson.

Currie: Smith, McShane, Norton, White, Fyfe, Scott, Reeves, Cox, Quigley, Hamilton, Burton, Temple, Thomson, Weston, Entwhistle.

In Division Two, Stewart's-Melville have home advantage as they bid to halt a four-match losing streak against Musselburgh while third-placed Haddingston await fourth-placed Aberdeen Grammar FPs.