Comments on selection - We have a lot of competition for places and this will be maintained over the next few weeks. In the pack Andy Hill returns to Hawks while Matt Smith makes his debut. Graeme Blackhall joins us from Boroughmuir in the fly-half berth and Brendan McGroarty, last season's Players' Player of the Year, takes on the captaincy. Elsewhere familiar faces abound and it is good to see the comeback of Andrew Redmayne after a long injury. He has earned his starting berth with a full pre-season and impressive performances in games. We are lucky to have a strong bench with Glasgow Under 20s captain Angus Neilson likely to feature at some stage.

Comments on match - The players are desperate to get in to league action and what an opener with a big derby against Ayr at Old Anniesland. It's usually a tense affair and highly-competitive but the spectators will get their monies worth as both teams can play fast, attractive rugby. Most of the players know each other well so the rivalries will be to the fore in what will undoubtedly be a keenly-fought contest.